The concept of implementing the activity-based costing in multi-assortment manufacturing enterprise – theoretical aspects (part 1)

Purpose: The main objective of the article is to develop and present a concept for the implementation of activity-based costing in a company dealing with multi-assortment production of bookbinding machinery. However, due to the publishing requirements, the article was divided into two parts – the first one describes the theoretical approach to the problem and the second one presents the case study. Therefore, the aim of this part of the considerations is to present the shortcomings of traditional methods of unit cost calculation in the light of the literature on the subject and to present the main assumptions and calculation procedures of the concept of activity-based costing. Design/methodology/approach: The main research methods used in this part of the considerations are: analysis of the literature on the subject and inference. Findings: The result of the research is the conclusion that the traditional methods of unit cost calculation, i.e. full costing and variable costing, are insufficient for effective cost management in the company. Originality/value: This part of the analysis presents in a synthetic way the identified main disadvantages of traditional unit costing methods. An alternative solution to the discussed problem was also presented here, i.e. the change of the applied costing system into an activity-based costing system – analyzing its assumptions and calculation procedures. This content is directed both to persons dealing with these matters from the theoretical perspective, as well as company owners and heads of controlling or production departments.