HSE Publishing House

The study takes four major phenomena that until recently were in many ways symbolizing the Russian economy — “black cash”, barter and non-payment, massive infringements of shareholders’ rights, and “shuttle trade” — and basing his analysis on these phenomena, the author demonstrates why in 1990’s Russian companies acted not quite like the government and the IMF and WB experts expected them to. The book makes use of extensive experiential data to reveal the springs behind the actions of economic agents, which to an outside observer appeared irrational but were logical enough in the prevailing conditions of irrational rules of the game. What has changed in 2000’s? Who is interested nowadays in creating the “right” impetus for companies? How can we accelerate the pace of modernization of enterprises and thus promote the modernization of Russian economy? Answers to these questions are given, taking into account the “YUKOS affair”, as well as other recent events in Russia’s socio-politic life. A great deal of attention is given to the possibilities of applying the experience of other countries to Russian realities, which having reached comparable levels of development of state and market institutions, had nevertheless managed to accomplish significant achievements in their socio-economic development.

The book is addressed to a wide circle of readers interested in issues of economic policy and enterprise management in transition economy.