In an attempt to help firms plan and control the costs of advanced manufacturing technologies (AMT) like, Just-In-Time, Total Quality Control, robotics, and computer integrated manufacturing (CIM), Computer Aided Manufacturing-International, Inc. (CAM-I) developed a new conceptual model referred to as a cost management system (CMS). (Note: CAM-I changed its name since this article was written to Consortium for Advanced Manufacturing - International). The main idea of this new model is to develop a strategy that focuses on behavioral issues rather than technical, mainly from recognizing the significant role human behavior plays in cost management. It "requires firms to change their philosophy from managing by the numbers to managing by a commitment to continuous improvement" (27). Therefore, the main goal "is to identify opportunities for, and monitor progress toward, continuous improvement" (17).

The behavioral aspect mainly focuses on people and culture, of which are means of managing the activities and behavior that cause costs. "The Seven Cs Model" is used to manage the cost-generating activities. The seven Cs are: culture, champion, change process, commitment, controls, compensation, and continuous education as illustrated in the exhibit below.

Culture. "Corporate culture is the mindset of employees, including their shared beliefs, values, and goals" (18) together with trust, collaboration, and honesty. The three types are functional, dysfunctional, and ill defined.

· Functional culture is supported by high worker involvement and
   participation, goal congruence between employees and management, and
   teamwork. This type supports a healthy organization and is most
   appropriate for promoting continuous improvement.

· Dysfunctional is run by overbearing management causing employees to
   have poor attitudes and low commitment to the organization, which leads
   to high turnover of employees.

· Ill-defined, on the other hand, are practically a collection of employees
   with no similarity in values, beliefs, and/or goals.

Champion. The champion is the main person responsible for making CMS work. He/she usually comes from the higher level of the hierarchy. He/she guides the much needed "implementation team," which includes a sponsor, project manager, integrator/facilitator, and the champion him/herself.

Change Process. The key elements in this process are:

· Top management support -- senior executives might resist due to
   reduction of short-term profits and earnings per share. They should
   disclose the changes and realize that their performance in capital markets
   are dependent on expected long-term future cash flows;

· Financial resources which are required for funding technology and
   continuing education;

· Realistic time frame that allows change;

· Evaluation process that reports the changes in performance of products,
   activities, etc., as a result of the CMS introduction;

· And a definite strategy -- Six possibilities are identified: revolutionary
   (simultaneous change), evolutionary (one change of unit at a time),
   greenfield (start from scratch), top-down (centralized), bottom-up
   (participative decision making), and simultaneous top-down and
   bottom-up (extensive involvement and participation of employees with
   management developing the basic outline and process for
   implementation).

Commitment. CMS’ central philosophy is managing by commitment to continuous improvement, which should be supported by top management and employees. Different measures of performance and new compensation systems might be a threat to employees. Firms should have counseling and education programs to describe the changes and its benefits to their employment.

Controls. There are three types: JIT/TQC, organizational structure, and teams.

· A benefit taken from JIT/TQC is that controls are based on visual control
   rather than paper. Visual control is more timely, less expensive, more
   effective, and efficient. Information is posted publicly about current
   performance to encourage continuous improvement.

· Traditional organizational structure that consists of horizontal and vertical
   differentiation should have controls such as budgets, formal lines of
   authority, and standard rules and operating procedures to integrate and
   coordinate its subunits.

· Teams should cut across the traditional functional areas. The smaller
   number of team-based vertical levels, the better. With horizontal
   structure, the central idea is the pull philosophy, which means having
   products available upon demand (24).

Compensation. Five important changes that need be made in the system are suggested.

· Motivate employees to produce a certain level by providing maximum
   pay when actual output reaches the targeted level.

· Base it on team performance and individual skills.

· Emphasize long-term performance such as the life cycle of a product.

· Encourage innovation by letting employees take some risks.

· Use non-financial rewards to create an atmosphere of positive
   reinforcement and success.

Continuous Education. Education should be "ongoing - from one educational module to another." The notion of continuous improvement calls for "constant innovation, which is facilitated by exposing employees to new information" (26). Workers should learn how to perform their tasks effectively, find ways to better accomplish their activities, and management should recognize their employees to be their most important assets. Job rotation and cross training are suggestions that are also important in increasing the effectiveness of continuous education.

	Web maaw.info