Recycling Equipment

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_tabs style=”tab-style-one”][vc_tab title=”Case” tab_id=”1425038595-1-38″][vc_column_text]Topic: ROI/Residual  Income

Characters: David Hendricks, the cost accountant for a small, closely held chemical manufacuring company William Jones, the plant manager

The chemical company currently gets rid of waste solvents by paying a hazardous waste disposal company to dispose of them in a special landfill site. The board of directors asked William Jones to find ways to reduce the cost of disposing the solvents. Jones then requested that David Hendricks determine the cost and effectiveness of equipment for recycling the solvents.

David has learned that the equipment would considerably reduce the amount of solvent being discarded. When he consulted two industry sources for estimates of the cost savings to the company, he found that they disagreed considerably about expected future costs for the disposal of hazardous wastes. With the lower estimate of cost savings, purchase of the equipment would increase the company’s net income but would decrease the return on investment because the recycling equipment is very expensive. David recalculated his analyses with the higher estimate of cost savings. With the greater cost savings, the recycling equipment would increase both net income and ROL.

David is uncertain which analysis to present to Mr. Jones. David is very concerned about the environment and believes that the company should make a commitment to recycling. He thinks that the second analysis, which shows an increase in ROI, is more realistic, but he realizes that his opinion may be biased. David knows that the company’s return on investment affects the bonuses for company managers. The board of directors and stockholders are very interested in both net income and ROL David believes that if he presents both analyses to Mr. Jones, the plant manager will not support the project. If David gives Jones only the second analysis, the manager may recommend approval to the board of directors.

Author: Sue Atkinson, Assistant Professor, Tarleton State University

[/vc_column_text][/vc_tab][vc_tab title=”Key teaching notes” tab_id=”1425038595-2-31″][vc_column_text]What Are the Relevant Facts?

  1. The company pays to dispose of waste solvents.
  2. The company could purchase expensive recycling equipment which would decrease the amount of waste to be disposed of.
  3. The effect of the equipment on ROI and net income depends on assumptions about future costs for disposing of the waste solvents.
  4. Different industry sources give different estimates of future disposal costs.
  5. Bonuses for company managers are based partly on ROI.

What Are the Ethical Issues?

  1. Should the company purchase the recycling equipment for environmental reasons?
  2. Should this decision be influenced by ROI and net income?
  3. Does the company have any responsibility for the environment, beyond complying with all applicable laws?
  4. To what extent should an accountant’s personal opinions affect the report and analyses he/she prepares?
  5. From David’s point of view, does the end (protecting the environment) justify the means (concealing potentially relevant information)?

Who Are the Primary Stakeholders?

What Are the Possible Alternatives?

  1. David could give Jones only the second analysis.
  2. David could give Jones both analyses as they stand.
  3. David could try to develop additional support for the second analysis and then give both to Jones.
  4. David could give Jones only the first analysis.

What Are the Ethics of the Alternatives?

  1. Which alternative would have the greatest benefit for David?
  2. Which choice offers the greatest benefit for Mr. Jones and the other company managers?
  3. How can possible environmental costs and the costs and benefits to company personnel be compared and measured?
  4. Which alternative has the greatest long-term benefits?
  5. Should possible costs to people outside the corporation affect this decision?
  1. What does Mr. Jones have a right to expect from David?
  2. Does David have a right to try to influence this decision by withholding information?
  3. Should the rights of people who live or work near the dump site and the rights of future generations be considered in making this decision?
  4. What responsibilities does David have in this case?
  1. Which action distributes benefits and burdens most fairly?
  2. Which stakeholders will bear the greatest burden if David gives Mr. Jones both analyses? Which stakeholders would benefit?

What Are the Practical Constraints?

  1. Jones may not react to the information in the manner that David expects.
  2. The board of directors may not support whatever recommendation Mr. Jones makes.
  3. The company must comply with legal requirements for the disposal of hazardous wastes.

What Actions Should Be Taken?

1. What should David do?

2. Which ethical theory (utilitarian, rights, justice) would help David in                       reaching his decision?[/vc_column_text][/vc_tab][/vc_tabs][/vc_column][/vc_row]