A direct cost is a cost that is: Identifiable as controllable. Variable with respect to the volume of activity. Fixed with respect to the volume of activity, Traceable to a specific item produced. A management concept that encourages all managers and employees to be in tune with the wants and needs of customers, and which leads to flexible product designs and production processes, is called: Continuous improvement. Customer orientation. Just-in-time. Theory of constraints. An opportunity cost is: An uncontrollable cost. A cost of potential benefit lost. A change in the cost of a component. A direct cost