Parkside Inc. has several divisions that operate as decentralized profit centers.
Parkside’s Entertainment Division manufactures video arcade equipment using the
products of two of Parkside’s other divisions. The Plastics Division manufactures
plastic components, one type that is made exclusively for the Entertainment Division,
while other less complex components are sold to outside markets. The products of the
Video Cards Division are sold in a competitive market; however, one video card model
is also used by the Entertainment Division. The actual costs per unit used by the
Entertainment Division are presented in the next column. (CMA adapted)
The Plastics Division sells its commercial products at full cost plus a 25% markup and
believes the proprietary plastic component made for the Entertainment Division would
sell for $6.25 per unit on the open market. The market price of the video card used by
the Entertainment Division is $10.98 per unit.
Assume that the Entertainment Division is able to purchase a large quantity of video
cards from an outside source at $8.70 per unit. The Video Cards Division, having excess
capacity, agrees to lower its transfer price to $8.70 per unit. This action would
A. optimize the profit goals of the Entertainment Division while subverting the profit
goals of Parkside Inc.
B. allow evaluation of both divisions on the same basis.
C. subvert the profit goals of the Video Cards Division while optimizing the profit goals
of the Entertainment Division.
D. optimize the overall profit goals of Parkside Inc.