kannattava

Kannattava is a Finnish adjective meaning profitable, lucrative, or advantageous from a financial perspective. It is used to describe investments, business activities, products, or operations that yield a positive return or justify the costs and risks involved. The term can also be used more broadly to indicate something worthwhile, but in common usage it most often refers to financial viability.

Etymology and related terms: Kannattava derives from the verb kannattaa, meaning to pay off, to be worth it, or to support, with the suffix -va forming an adjective. Related nouns include kannattavuus (profitability or viability) and kannattaminen (backing or support).

Usage in economics and business: In corporate and financial language, a project or venture is described as kannattava when its expected returns, cash flows, and payback justify the investment. Common collocations include kannattava investointi (profitable investment), kannattava liiketoiminta (lucrative business), and kannattava suunnitelma (viable plan). Kannattavuus is often assessed with profitability calculations, such as ROI, net present value, or payback period.

Nuances: The assessment of kannattavuus depends on time horizon, discount rate, and risk. A project may be kannattava under certain assumptions but not in more conservative scenarios. It is also used in everyday language to discuss whether something is worthwhile or beneficial economically or practically.

Related concepts: kannattavuus, tuottavuus (productivity), tuotto (return), investointi (investment).