Institutions, Networks and Entrepreneurship Development in Russia: An Exploration

Ruta Aidis and Saul Estrin ()
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Saul Estrin: London School of Economics

No 2161, IZA Discussion Papers from Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)

Abstract: In this paper we explore the ways in which institutions and networks influence entrepreneurial development in Russia. By utilizing new Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) data collected in 2001, we investigate the effects of the weak institutional environment in Russia in terms of three dimensions: on the rate of productive entrepreneurial activity measured in terms of start-ups and existing business owners; on the characteristics of business owners; and on business financing. In addition, the analysis explores the effectiveness of Russia’s informal networks for circumventing the weak institutional environment for business development. Our results indicate that Russia’s business owners share many of the same characteristics as business owners in advanced western countries, though education is not associated with entrepreneurial activity. However, the main differences are in the sources of financing and the fact that relatively few individuals engage in productive entrepreneurial activity. Our results support the notion of the limited effectiveness of Russia’s networks for supporting entrepreneurial activity in its weak institutional environment.

Keywords: entrepreneurship; institutions; networks; Russia (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: J23 M13 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 26 pages
Date: 2006-06
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-ent, nep-net, nep-soc and nep-tra
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (19)

Published - published in: Journal of Business Venturing, 2008, 23 (6), 656-672

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Working Paper: Institutions, Networks and Entrepreneurship Development in Russia: An Exploration (2006)
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