Using net asset figures means eroding the value of the asset base each period – even if
income is static this will result in increasing ROI and RI. If managers’ decide to invest in new
equipment their ROI and RI will decrease in the short term significantly, acting as a
disincentive to invest.
Using gross figures, managers will be incentivised to purchase newer, more efficient assets as
the effect on ROI and RI will only be the difference between the old asset at cost and the new
asset at cost, a cost likely outweighed by the increased efficiency. This could result in too
much incentive to invest however, with managers’ losing sight of the total NPV of
investments.