Abstract: The article considers the problems and prospects for the functioning of business entities, the peculiarities of approaches to cost management in the course of the fourth industrial revolution.The Industry 4.0 concept implies the development of digitalization of business processes, automation and computerization of production, and intensification of R&D. However, the implementation of these tasks is hampered by the need for significant costs, the enormous deterioration of fixed assets, the difficulty of updating technological and software, and the lack of qualified specialists in the field of information and communication technologies. The aim of the study is to improve the efficiency of management of manufacturing enterprises’ overhead expenses of Penza region by finding a compromise between cost optimization and finding ways to develop and intensify innovation and digitalization. The empirical basis for this paper was drawn from research on enterprise cost management, outsourcing and digital business technologies, as reflected in the publications of the following databases: Scopus, ScienceDirect, Inderscience, Elsevier, open statistical data. The study uses bibliographic, statistical, expert, mathematical methods, abstract-logical methods, the method of analogy, induction, deduction, analysis and synthesis. It has been identified that the main obstacle to the manufacturing enterprise’s development is lack of funds, which can be overcome by an improved approach to the management of overhead expenses, which are often unreasonably high, and will continue to increase with the intensification of the digitalisation of the innovation activity. A distinctive feature of this study is the justification of outsourcing feasibility and proposal for its use as a tool for the development of manufacturing enterprises in the context of limited inner resources and a high degree of risk in development activities. The results of the study have been tested at machine-building plants of Penza region (Russia) and proved their effectiveness.

Abstract: The subject of this research is development of the concept of “lean manufacturing”. The author describes the advantages of using the key instrument of this concept – the Just-in-time system, implementation of which requires creation of certain prerequisites at the plants, widely defined in manufacturing management literature. However, modern management circumstances are characterized by dynamicity, high level of uncertainty and risk, which can be reduced by accounting for as many factors as possible. The article presents results of analysis of the types of movement of labor objects in accordance with the conditions of utilization of the “Just-in-time system”. Research methodology includes comparative and categorical analysis, system approach, methods of induction and deduction. The author’s major contribution into this research consists in substantiation of extension of the list of criteria with regards to implementation of “lean manufacturing” concept through substantiation of the reasonableness of application of parallel-sequential type of movement of labor objects from operation to operation. The acquired results may be valuable in organization of manufacturing at industrial plants.