The article presents the results of a study on the substantiation of the correlation of the categories of «enterprise potential», «resource potential», «production potential» and «economic potential«. The analysis of the existing scientific views on the essence of the main terms studied has shown that there is still no unified approach to a clear delimitation or identification of these concepts, nor is there a single concept for defining these categories. It is found that the issue of the components of the enterprise potential is also debatable, and the understanding of the ratio of enterprise potentials presented in the literature by various scientists does not contribute to the significance of scientific developments in the field of the problems under study, excludes the possibility of their mutual enrichment and coordinated development. According to the article's authors, the fundamental potentials of the enterprise include resources, production, marketing, financial investment, and internal economics. It is proposed to base the division of potential into types based on the purpose of their formation, use, and build-up, as well as the primary factors and components. It is substantiated that each type of potential has its purpose and the main factors influencing its value. We believe that each type of potential is formed and realized through a person's regulated managerial action: the components are organizational and managerial. Mandatory elements of potential include resources, professional knowledge, and management. It is noted that potential means the ability of an enterprise to perform a particular activity with the maximum possible aggregate result of such activity, manifested in the mobilization of appropriate resources; therefore, the main element of potential is natural resources. The authors understand Professional knowledge as knowledge, skills, and abilities acquired through appropriate professional training and continuous professional development. The knowledge of participants in any economic processes in the implementation of specific activities is considered a means of achieving the relevant goal of the enterprise. Management ensures the implementation of the approach to management in the enterprise. As a specific type of management activity, it is carried out using various techniques, methods, organization of work, and control of activities. The presence of the same elements of potential (resources, professional knowledge, management) provides a unified approach to the disclosure of the essence of potential in general. However, the fullness of these constituent elements depends on the type of potential. The presented classification of potentials according to their target orientation, subordination, and degree of combination is based on the position, the essence is that each type of potential should complement, develop the previous one, and influence the next one. In the system of potentials, according to the authors of the article, the leading place should be occupied by the internal economic potential, which is a full-fledged component of the overall potential of the enterprise.
Keywords: enterprise potential, production potential, economic potential, resource potential, efficiency, management.
