Economic Potential Theory: Object, Subject and Conceptual Framework

The goal of the article is specification of content of basic notions, object and subject of the economic potential theory as a relatively independent branch of the economic science. Based on the analysis of multiple scientific publications the article justifies a conclusion about absence of unity of views on the content of main notions of the theory, insufficient level of strictness of definitions of these notions, eclectic elements and internal inconsistency of the conceptual framework, consequences of which are erroneous approaches to solution of the problem of potential assessment. The article specifies, within the concept of potential in economy as a certain ability of economic subjects, the object and subject of the economic potential theory, offers a system of key notions of the theory and gives strict definitions of these notions, which ensure compatibility and consistency of the system of notions, possibility of common classification of the known varieties of potentials of economic subjects and identify new methodological approaches to measuring potentials and application of assessments of the level of potential in applied tasks of management. The proposed conceptual framework forms a theoretical foundation for development of methods of assessment of potentials and specification of directions and methods of use of relevant assessments for management of development of economic subjects within a common methodology, which is an actual subject for further studies.