J plc’s business is organized into divisions. For operating purposes, each division is regarded as an investment centre, with divisional managers enjoying substantial autonomy in their selection of investment projects.

Divisional managers are rewarded via a remuneration package which is linked to a Return on Investment (ROI) performance measure. The ROI calculation is based on the net book value of assets at the beginning of the year. Although there is a high degree of autonomy in investment selection, approval to go ahead has to be obtained from group management at the head office in order to release the finance.
Division X is currently investigating three independent investment proposals. If they appear acceptable, it wishes to assign each a priority in the event that funds may not be available to cover all three.
Group finance staff assess the cost of capital to the company at 15 per cent.
The details of the three proposals are:

Depreciation is straight-line over asset life, which is four years in each case.
You are required:

(a) to give an appraisal of the three investment proposals from a divisional and from a company point of view;

(b) to explain any divergence between these two points of view and to demonstrate techniques by which the views of both the division and the company can be brought into line.

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Project A Project B Project C (000) (000) (000) Initial cash outlay on fixed assets 60 60 60 Net cash inflow in year 1 21 25 10 Net cash inflow in year 2 21 20 20 Net cash inflow in year 3 21 20 30 Net cash inflow in year 4 21 15 40