Essential aspects of unit economics and its application in project activities

Abstract

Subject. The concepts of unit economics are increasingly becoming part of economic practice. This is primarily due to the development of technological entrepreneurship, which is encouraged at the State level. However, in domestic economic science, there is still no consensus on what exactly is unit economics, its boundaries, methods, and specifics of application. Objectives. The article aims to consider unit economics from the standpoint of theoretical and methodological approach in relation to its use in project activities, rather than in terms of the general economic analysis. Methods. The study employs methods of analysis, synthesis, logical-epistemological and logical analysis, induction and deduction. Results. The paper offers definitions of unit economics in broad and narrow senses, takes steps to reveal the methodological essence of this approach, considers the most popular concepts of unit economics, defines reasons for its extension in Russia, barriers and prospects. The findings can be useful for the unit economics concept development, its formalization. The proposed classification features can help develop express analysis tools. The main areas of application include economic analysis, project activity, evaluation of investment project efficiency. Conclusions. Unit economics as a direction within the framework of economic analysis has not been fully formed. The unit-calculation toolkit is practice-oriented, which is an additional institutional barrier to its adoption by the economic scientific community. The development of unit-tools, application in project activities, and introduction into the system of higher education in the training of economists are inevitable.