The Abrams case is about using profitability measures to evaluate profit centers. The case alsoreflects a long academic debate in the US-literature about ROI problems. In EU companies it is more common to evaluate PCs with Income measures like RI and EVA. This case covers the tree main problems in controlling profit centers:
1.The ROI behavior
2.Transfer pricing disputes
3.Operational trouble shouting
It is very difficult to find a relevant and fair capital base for the ROI measure.
Abrams use book value for fixed assets which inflate the ROI measure as the assets age.
The age and mix of assets also differs among divisions which give unfair measures. It is alsoeasy for the divisions to manipulate the capital base at the end of the year.
ROI based bonus may rob the future, who want to invest in assets if that reduce the bonus.