Distortions in the theory of costs in the conditions of digital economy

Abstract

The purpose of the research is to determine distortions in the work of the theory of costs in the conditions of digital economy and to develop the optimized formula of evaluation of cost of benefits that allows achieving high precisions and objectivity of evaluations results and balancing interests of all interested parties. The work uses the method of regression, correlation, and logical analysis. The authors determine regression and correlation dependence of non-inflation growth of GDP on the volume of digital economy in Russia in 2013–2017 and conclude that in the conditions of digital economy the role of market factor in economy and their influence on real cost of benefits grow. Four distortions of the theory of costs in the conditions of digital economy are determined; they are related to difference between cost and price for benefits, due to modernization of production on the basis of digital technologies, gaining the “scale effect”, expansion of possibilities for foreign economic activities, and development of digital products. The optimized formula of evaluation of benefits’ cost is offered, which takes into account peculiarities of digital economy, allows achieving high precision and objectivity of results of evaluation and balancing interests of all interested parties. This formula is recommended for practical application as a conceptual basis for modernization of the system of financial accounting in modern Russia.