Ethical Issues of Enterpreneurship in Russia
Speaker
Abstract
| Lisette Breukink is a young Dutch enterpreneur, who started up her business on legacy migrations in St Petersburg some 13 years ago. These early days saw a downright administrative anarchy, characterized by many contradictory rules. Over the years this has evolved into even more conflicting rules with more control and ever harsher penalties. Civil servants are often underpaid and unqualified, so that new enterpreneurs face a wide variety of interests ranging from the domineering ‘old-sovjet’ style civil servant who does not wish to change, to young and idealistic people who are inexperienced but are seeking to further the cause of their country. This colourful mix is cut across by an ubiquitous uncertainty as to who is open to bribery and who is not. |
| The present academic literature on ethics and enterpreneurship in Russia argues that standard Western norms for interpreting the ethicality of corporate governance decisions are insufficient, because they were developed in countries with mature market-oriented economies. Integrative social contracts theory (ISCT) can provide more explanatory and justificatory power, as it takes into account two sets of often-conflicting values: traditional Russian values and market-oriented values (McCarthy and Puffer, 2008). On the basis of three examples taken from Breukink’s own enterpreneurial experience she seeks to test the suitability of the ISCT framework for Western managers interacting with Russians in this crucial area of business activity. |
| Website: http://www.lizatec.com/ |
| Contact information: |
| Ben Wempe |
