Магистратура
2025/2026
Развитие бизнеса в постсоветских странах
Статус:
Курс по выбору (Политика и глобальное управление в Евразии)
Где читается:
Санкт-Петербургская школа социальных наук
Когда читается:
1-й курс, 3 модуль
Охват аудитории:
для всех кампусов НИУ ВШЭ
Преподаватели:
Юзбекова Карина Шамильевна
Язык:
английский
Кредиты:
3
Course Syllabus
Abstract
This course provides an in-depth exploration of the unique challenges and opportunities of conducting business in post-Soviet countries. Participants will analyze the political, economic, and cultural factors that shape the business environment in this region, with a focus on key industries such as energy, technology, and finance. Through case studies, guest lectures, and interactive simulations, students will develop a nuanced understanding of the regulatory frameworks, market dynamics, and business practices that impact operations in post-Soviet countries. Topics covered include legal systems, corruption risks, market entry strategies, and cross-cultural communication, equipping participants with the knowledge and skills to navigate the complexities of doing business in this evolving landscape. By the end of the course, students will be prepared to assess opportunities, manage risks, and make informed decisions when engaging in business activities in post-Soviet countries.
Learning Objectives
- The main objective of this course is to introduce students to real cases of doing business in Russia and other post-Soviet countries and the main issues that arise in the process of doing business due to various factors specific to the post-Soviet economic space
Expected Learning Outcomes
- Able to efficiently communicate based on the goals and communication situations
- Able to solve professional problems based on synthesis and analysis
Course Contents
- Introduction
- Methodology
- The legacy of the USSR
- Models of state-business relations
- The role of the state
- External actors
- Sectoral analysis
- Small and medium-sized businesses
- Conclusion
Assessment Elements
- Group presentationDuring the course, students prepare a group project (4-5 people in each group) and present it at one of the seminars in a presentation format (20-25 minutes - speech, 10 minutes - discussion). Each group should conduct a comprehensive political-economic analysis of a specific business case (company or investment project) in the post-Soviet space, identifying the interrelationships between its formation, strategy, success/failure, and the specific features of the political, economic, and social institutions of the country/region. The project demonstrates the application of the course's theoretical concepts to a real-world situation. Examples of cases for analysis (you can choose any one from the list or select your own case independently): 1) Successful national company: Kaspi.kz (Kazakhstan), Yandex (Russia/international) 2) Structurally significant project/company: SOCAR (Azerbaijan), Uzmetkombinat (Uzbekistan), Belaruskali (Belarus). 3) Problematic case: Bank Otkritie (Russia), companies affected by sanctions. 4) Project with strong external involvement: Hyundai plant in Saint Petersburg (Russia). 5) Projects under construction: Kulevi Oil Terminal (Georgia), Nur-Bukhara Solar PV Plant (Uzbekistan).
- In-class activityAssessment will be based on attendance, preparation of readings, participation in class discussion with the focus on qualitative contribution to the discussion, ability to answer questions based on the readings, come up with own interpretations and react to comments made by other students
- ExamThe exam is organised in a test format with questions based on the topics studied during the course (lecture, seminar readings). Students will have 40 minutes to complete the test. The test may feature different types of questions (multiple-choice, matching, fill-in-the-gaps questions, questions with open answer). Students are not allowed to use any sources during the test.
- Media reportStudents submit a reflective media report (2-3 pages, or approx. 1000 words) at the end of the course. The task: throughout the course, consistently follow news and analysis from selected quality sources (e.g., RBK, Eurasianet, Reuters, etc.) on a chosen post-Soviet country or specific theme (e.g., "business and the state in Kazakhstan", "sanctions and adaptation in Russia", "IT Sector Development in Armenia", etc.). The final report should identify and analyze one or two key monthly trends, explicitly linking them to relevant course concepts (e.g., state capture, models of capitalism, institutional traps, role of external actors, etc.). The list of sources should be provided in the end of the report.
Interim Assessment
- 2025/2026 3rd module0.3 * Exam + 0.25 * Group presentation + 0.25 * In-class activity + 0.2 * Media report
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- Ledeneva, A. V. (2011). Doing business in Russia : informal practices and anti-corruption strategies / Alena Ledeneva; Stanislav Shekshnia. Paris: Institut Français des Relations Internationales. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edswao&AN=edswao.389421383
Recommended Additional Bibliography
- Osterwalder, A., Clark, T., & Pigneur, Y. (2010). Business Model Generation : A Handbook for Visionaries, Game Changers, and Challengers. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=335366