Digitalization and Transaction Costs: Transformation of Business Processes and the Impact on Product Costing and Enterprise Competitivenes

Abstract

In the context of economic digitalization, enterprises increasingly seek to optimize transaction costs as part of product cost. The growing role of information technologies necessitates revisiting traditional approaches to contracts, data exchange, control, and pricing. The absence of a systematic approach to managing transaction costs in a digital environment calls for new tools for their assessment and reduction.

Purpose of the study - to substantiate the feasibility of implementing digital technologies for optimizing transaction costs that affect product cost, and to propose an approach for evaluating the effectiveness of their management. Research methods - systems and structural-logical analysis, comparative assessment of business models, economic and mathematical modeling, and graphical visualization of transaction cost evaluation stages.

Results. An original mechanism for managing transaction costs is proposed, encompassing identification of cost origins, construction of a five-stage evaluation model, and justification of digital solutions for cost reduction. A set of analytical indicators has been developed, including the ratio of transaction costs per unit of income, their share in operational expenses, and profitability level of transaction costs. Specific digital tools - platforms, AI systems, blockchain solutions - are identified as contributors to cost reduction in procurement, negotiations, logistics, and contractual processes. A methodology for the economic justification of digitalization decisions is presented, linked to the formation of target and contractual product pricing using the minimax approach. Conclusions. Digitalization of transactional processes proves to be an effective tool for reducing costs that shape product cost and improving the operational efficiency of enterprises. The proposed approaches allow not only to substantiate the need for digital transformation but also to develop economically justified pricing strategies, considering the minimax principle. The results are applicable in management practice to enhance the competitiveness of enterprises under dynamic market conditions and the digitalization of the business environment.