What is the term for an expenditure that does not vary with the production volume, such as rent and salaries?

The correct term for expenditures that do not fluctuate with production volume is fixed costs. Fixed costs remain constant regardless of how much product is being produced. This includes expenses such as rent for facilities and salaries for employees, which do not change whether a company produces a high or low volume of goods. Understanding fixed costs is crucial for budgeting and financial planning in logistics and supply chain management, as they affect overall profitability and resource allocation.

In contrast, variable costs change in direct relation to production volume, such as materials or labor directly tied to manufacturing. Operating costs represent the total expenses for running a business but include both fixed and variable costs. Direct costs are those expenses that can be directly attributed to specific products or services, typically aligning more with variable costs than with the steady expenses categorized as fixed costs.