Cost savings through eco-efficiency in an accounting office
Turunen, Anna (2016)
Turunen, Anna
Haaga-Helia ammattikorkeakoulu
2016
All rights reserved
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2016052710443
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2016052710443
Tiivistelmä
The aim of the thesis is to find hypothetical cost saving scenarios for being eco-efficient in an accounting office. The topic was chosen because it is a central issue in future business. Not only is eco-efficiency a trend that attracts customer but it is also good for the company in the long run.
The theoretical part of the thesis covers the core topics in depth, with some relevant theories and models. The core topics are eco-efficiency and cost savings. The main aspects of eco-efficiency are introduced to the reader with some relevant concepts. Cost savings are compared to profitability and the general methods of sensible cost saving are explained.
The research methods used in the thesis include both quantitative and qualitative ones: a quantitative survey was created in order to determine the accounting offices’ eco-efficiency situation in Finland. After the survey, qualitative observation and data gathering was implemented to support the findings of the survey. The information was then used to obtain the final results of the thesis. Qualitative observation was conducted in a case company, which will be also used in the hypothetical cost saving scenarios. The case company is a Finnish accounting company.
The results showed that it is possible to save costs eco-efficiently. However, the cost savings are not high, as the measures taken are not drastic.
The scenarios were not tested on a real office. Therefore, the results in real life may vary. Other aspects affecting the results are also the size of the office and its purchasing habits. A case company was used to support the findings of the survey in order to create as realistic scenarios as possible.
The theoretical part of the thesis covers the core topics in depth, with some relevant theories and models. The core topics are eco-efficiency and cost savings. The main aspects of eco-efficiency are introduced to the reader with some relevant concepts. Cost savings are compared to profitability and the general methods of sensible cost saving are explained.
The research methods used in the thesis include both quantitative and qualitative ones: a quantitative survey was created in order to determine the accounting offices’ eco-efficiency situation in Finland. After the survey, qualitative observation and data gathering was implemented to support the findings of the survey. The information was then used to obtain the final results of the thesis. Qualitative observation was conducted in a case company, which will be also used in the hypothetical cost saving scenarios. The case company is a Finnish accounting company.
The results showed that it is possible to save costs eco-efficiently. However, the cost savings are not high, as the measures taken are not drastic.
The scenarios were not tested on a real office. Therefore, the results in real life may vary. Other aspects affecting the results are also the size of the office and its purchasing habits. A case company was used to support the findings of the survey in order to create as realistic scenarios as possible.