Aspects Ltd manufactures windows with wood and metal frames. Aspects Ltd has three departments: Glass, Wood and metal. The Glass Department makes the window glass and sends it to either the Wood or Metal Department where the glass is framed. The window is then sold. upper management sets the production schedules for the three departments and evaluates them on output quantity, cost variances and product quality.
Required:1. Are the three departments cost centres, revenue centres or profit centres?
2. Are the three departments centralised or decentralised?
3. Can a centralised department be a profit centre? Why or why not?
4. Suppose the upper management of Aspects Ltd decides to let the three departments set their own production schedules, buy and sell products in the external market, and have Wood and Metal negotiate with Glass for the glass panes using a transfer price. a, Will this change your answers to requirements 1 and 2? b, How would you recommend upper management evaluate the three departments if this change is made?