Swedish SMEs' Establishment of Business in Russia: A Case Study

This case study analyzes Swedish SMEs' establishment of business in Russia. The study is based on data from a project whose objective was to help Swedish SMEs enter the Russian market. Findings indicate that market visits positively affected the managers' view on the Russian market. Interviews with four SMEs that had been successful in establishing business in Russia highlight the importance of finding a local partner with access to working market channels. A conclusion drawn is that innovativeness, flexibility, and commitment are characteristics that the exporting SMEs and their Russian partners need to share.     

Overcoming the Russian transformation crisis

Russia's attempts at transformation into a market economy have so far resulted in a prolonged and steep economic decline. This is in stark contrast to developments in other formerly socialist countries where an initial period of economic decline was followed by strong growth. What are the reasons behind the adverse development of the Russian economy? What policy changes are required to bring Russia stability, growth and prosperity?     

Enterprise Restructuring and Turnaround Management in Russia

Summary

After the wave of privatization has swept Russia, the crucial stage of enterprise restructuring begins. According to various circulating estimates, about half of large enterprises need to be reorganized if they are to prosper in the new market economy of Russia. Some of other enterprises need to be closed immediately so that they cease to drag the Russian economy down by subtracting value from it. On the other hand, there is evidence of fraudulent bankruptcies orchestrated by Russia's powerful managers and designed to strip existing enterprises of valuable assets which are then transferred to private pockets illegally or semi-legally. The Russian Government is trying to cope with these challenges under very difficult conditions of inadequate human and financial resources, unclear market structures (e.g., financial-industrial groups), underdeveloped markets for assets, and social-political pressures to maintain status quo which is not sustainable in the longer term. Legislative and other actions need to be taken to adopt decentralized, imaginative solutions which can bring results under Russia's particular circumstances. No ready-made solutions exist but the Russian Government sees quite a lot of good analogies in the new German Lacnder. Other potential solutions, like debt-for-equity swaps, vulture funds, etc., stem from the Anglo-Saxon or American traditions. All these solutions should be considered carefully. Some of them should be used domestically; others should give Western capital opportunities to assist in the enterprise restructuring and other transition processes in Russia.     

Emerging Innovation in Emerging Economies: Can Institutional Reforms Help Russia Break Through Its Historical Barriers?

This article investigates Russia's historical and current innovation initiatives through the lens of institutional theory, utilizing the triple‐helix innovation model, which we have extended to include the context of Russian culture. The Russian government has embarked upon a national innovation policy and has committed billions of dollars with the goal of developing a knowledge‐based economy to enhance participation in the global arena, while simultaneously diversifying away from energy and natural resources. Historically, Russia has typically not succeeded with innovation beyond the idea, and sometimes product development, stages. Our primary conclusion is that the inadequacy of formal and informal institutional support has created historical barriers in Russia, some of which are currently being addressed to develop an innovation ecosystem encompassing a more supportive institutional infrastructure. The article concludes with implications for US firms and universities involved with innovation activities in Russia. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

The Merits of Dual Pricing of Russian Natural Gas

Our analysis reveals that, from Russia's perspective, there is no economic rationale to unify the price of natural gas it sells domestically and in Europe. We argue that pipelines allow Gazprom to segment the Russian market from the European (including Turkey) market and that Russia has market power in the European market. If Russia were to fail to exploit this market power in its European market, by selling its natural gas to Europe at only full long‐run marginal cost plus transportation costs, Russia would lose between $5 billion and $7.5 billion per year (almost two per cent of its GDP). If, instead, Russia were to raise its domestic prices to the prices it charges in Europe, Russian industry would incur very large investment adjustment and unemployment costs in the short run – adjustment costs that cannot be justified on the basis of comparative advantage. We estimate that the efficient world price would be achieved if Gazprom were to employ its optimal ‘two‐part tariff’. The optimal two‐part tariff would double Gazprom's annual profits in Europe, but it involves significant long‐term risks for Gazprom of lost market share.     

Russia's Gas Sector: In Need of Liberalization in the Context of the Shale Gas Revolution and Energy Relations with the European Union

Rising gas production from nonconventional deposits in North America and the possibility of growth in the rest of the world pose a serious challenge to Russian energy interests. Although Russia has the largest proven gas reserves and is the number one exporter of fossil fuels, its position as a dominant gas supplier to the European Union (EU) is diminishing. This article examines the main problems of Russia's gas sector in the context of the shale gas revolution and the liberalization of the EU gas market. The article also analyses the perspectives of Russia's energy relations with EU countries and formulates some recommendations for them.     

Geographic export diversification: Determinants and their link with export performance

This study examines company‐specific factors that may help explain the choice of an export‐market strategy and explores how the selected export strategy contributes to explaining company's export performance (XP). Concentrating on a specific area within a broad spectrum of export behavior analysis has enabled us to examine these factors in greater depth. The results of our research, which was carried out using a sample comprising Spanish exporting companies, show a firm's size, a firm's age, and a firm's greater foreign ownership in its share capital are all determining factors for adopting a strategy geared to export‐market diversification. A greater level of investment in R&D and greater international commitment are also important in this regard. We suggest reinforcing these two factors because there is evidence of a better XP among firms that have a wider range of foreign markets.     

Doing business in Russia: Lessons from early entrants

The business climate in Russia during the first half of the 1990s has been uncertain and difficult. Many companies would hesitate to invest in such a risky environment. Yet some have, and many others will do so, in light of President Boris Yeltsin's continued commitment to a market economy, and other positive developments. A survey of 49 American firms compares 24 American early entrant companies which began doing business in Russia before 1990, with 25 later arrivals. Companies in both groups shared many views about doing business there. However, differences between the two groups concerning motives, attitudes, and strategies suggest characteristics which might contribute to longer term staying power in this uncertain environment. Analyses are supplemented with examples of recent company activities, particularly those of early entrants. The article concludes with lessons based on early entrants' experiences. These lessons may benefit other firms like the newer entrants if they too choose a similar long-term horizon. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Das deutsche Russlandgeschäft im Schatten der Krise: gefährliche Abhängigkeiten?

In view of the Russian annexation of Crimea and its ongoing efforts to destabilise Ukraine, political decision-makers in the EU and the US are considering economic sanctions against Russia. The article analyses whether the German economy would be affected by restrictions on trade and investment relations. As a result, German exporters would suffer from restrictions on business relations with Russia, but they would be able to compensate for possible losses. Russian gas export interruptions, however, would be a more severe problem. Due to Russia’s dependence on revenues from the export of natural resources as well as on technology imports from Western countries, the Russian economy would be hit particularly hard.     

Export Commitment and the Global Financial Crisis: Perspectives from the New Zealand Wine Industry

The study investigates how firms adjusted their export commitment in response to the recent global financial crisis. Findings based on New Zealand wine companies suggest that firms' commitment to exporting is influenced by both their export performance achieved before the crisis and the negative effect that the crisis exerted on their subsequent export performance. These two performance‐induced influences can be further moderated by managerial attitude toward exporting and managers' perceptions of export market uncertainty. Theoretically, the study builds on the behavioral theory of the firm and extends the past performance–strategy relationship to the situation of exporting in a financial crisis.     

Can Russia's state-managed,network capitalism be competitive?: Institutional pull versus institutional push

In the fall of 2005, former chairman of Yukos Oil, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, was sentenced to prison, after being found guilty of fraud and tax evasion. Many viewed the trial as the government's attempt to gain control of the energy sector which Putin had declared as strategically crucial to the country. This article examines the role of the state and the type of capitalism that is evolving in Russia. We view this system as consisting of three forms of network capitalism that coexist in this transition economy – market, oligarchic, and siloviki – and the relationships among them, all existing within the pervasive environment of the Russian state. We argue that the Russian economy will continue to be based for some time on the cognitive institutional pillar rather than the regulative pillar. The article concludes with implications of government policy decisions for the various forms of capitalism, for the country's competitiveness and attractiveness for foreign investment, and for Russian managers.     

Strukturelle Schwäche der russischen Wirtschaft

The economic situation in Russia is dramatic. GDP decreased by alarming 3.7 per cent in 2015. The imposed economic sanctions as well as the fall in oil prices have contributed to the downward spiral. However, the real weaknesses of the Russian economy are more structural in nature. The strong dependence on the oil and gas business, corruption problems, setbacks in privatisation efforts and the inefficient use of the existing human capital require greater commitment on the part of the government to commit to a return to a sustainable growth path. Individual sectors and companies in Germany suffered considerable losses of revenue in the course of the economic crisis in Russia. Overall, however, the effect on the German economy has been rather moderate.     

The Impact of Changes in the Political and Economic Environment on Foreign Direct Investment Opportunities in Romania

Abstract

This study reports findings of a survey including 139 Finnish and 97 Austrian companies active in Eastern Europe. The study focuses on two major areas in the firm's business activities in Eastern Europe, namely on market strategies-the timing of market entry, market selection, entry modes and motives-and company performance. The number of market entries has increased after the transition, but the majority of business activities still take place in geographically-close countries. Companies have gradually started to use more high-commitment modes of operation, but contrary to our expectations, high commitment modes were also frequently used in more unstable markets. Company performance in Russia and especially in other countries of Eastern Europe was in general clearly lower than in domestic markets and foreign markets in general. Against expectations, firm size, dependence on international markets, length of operation, and mode of operation in Eastern Europe did not significantly influence the performance. However, firms which concentrated on Russian markets on a continuous basis performed much better than other firms.     

Strategic investment flexibility for MNE success in Russia: Evolving beyond entry modes

Many American multinational enterprises (MNEs) are currently active in Russia despite the turbulence encountered in that transitional economy. Most seem to have entered as an extension of their global strategies with a long-term horizon. While some entered with considerable involvement and substantial investment, others followed a more cautious or incremental path. This article focuses on how MNE strategies have evolved after entry and describes six strategic approaches. Strategic investment flexibility is found to depend upon a company 's original entry strategy and tolerance for risk, as well as its assessment of the legal and political environment, industry conditions, market readiness for its products or services, competition, and the investment required to establish a sustainable competitive position. Keys to successful strategy development are drawn from the experiences of US MNEs which have established growing businesses in the vast Russian market. The strategies of such successful MNEs, however initiated upon entry, usually evolved to a relatively heavy investment position.     

Yukos' Stake in Slovak Transpetrol

SUMMARY

In 2002, Yukos was the ideal investor for Slovak Transpetrol, as Yukos was one of the Russia's largest oil producers, and hence had enough oil to fill Transpetrol's pipelines. Just as important, Yukos was the standard-bearer for Russia's more transparent, well-managed oil sector. Unlike some Russian energy companies, Yukos' conduct never raised suspicions that it was acting as an agent for the Russian State in its former empire. Nevertheless, the situation at the beginning of 2005 is different from 2002. Yukos' forthcoming bankruptcy negates all those advantages because of which Yukos was welcomed as the strategic investor and leaves the Slovak Government with a lot of additional problems. For any decision that the Slovak Government would like to undertake, the agreement of the Russian side is necessary. No swift resolution is likely. Important decisions about the future of the respective oil industry may be made in Moscow rather than in Bratislava.     

Rule 144A: Why Foreign Companies Are “Taking the Plunge” into the US. Private Placement Market

172e SEC'S new Rule 144A will encourage foreign issuers to sell their securities in the US., and US. institutional investors can expect a greater variety of foreign investment alternatives than ever before. But some US. companies seeking to raise funds through private securities offerings may eventually need to contend with the additional competition for US. investment dollars created by the foreign oferings. It's all part of what is fast becoming an international market for capital.     

Russian Gas and Oil Giants Conquer Markets in the West

Abstract

Russian firms are not integrated to the global business world solely via investments from the West to the East but also through investments from Russia to other countries. This article proves that some significant Russian corporations have already taken root in Western economies, including the US market. The first wave of the Russian companies in the West increases the pressure to analyze them as potential partners or competitors. This article uses a REM model to describe the foreign operations of the two biggest Russian corporations, Gazprom and LUKoil. The fast-expanding activities of Russian firms abroad signify that a new era in international business has begun on the eve of this millennium.     

Corporate governance in Russia: a framework for analysis

In the past several years, the Putin government’s goal of joining the World Trade Organization, as well as the critical shortage of investment funds in the country, have been prime levers in raising the importance of corporate governance in Russia. While most research has addressed relatively discrete aspects of the topic, this article provides an integrative framework for analyzing corporate governance in Russia. With large companies as the focus, the framework is particularly appropriate for companies in transitioning economies whose corporate governance systems are still developing. The framework draws on a cultural-embeddedness model as well as agency and stakeholder theories. Propositions for corporate governance in large Russian companies are developed for exploration in future research.     

Estimating the effect of the Internet on international trade

In this article, we study the effect of North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) on the responsiveness of Mexican economy to real exchange rate shocks. We argue that, by opening the US and Canadian markets to Mexican goods, NAFTA made it easier for domestic producers to take advantage of the opportunities brought by the depreciation of the real exchange rate. To identify this mechanism, we use plant-level data and compare the behavior of employment, production and investment after two big real exchange rate shocks: the first observed in the mid-1980s, the second the Tequila Crisis of 1994–1995. The evidence indicates that after passage of NAFTA exporting firms exhibited higher growth rates of employment, sales and investment vis-à-vis non-exporters. We confirm our results by analyzing the behavior of a control group of firms, that had complete access to the US market during both devaluations, and we show that they responded in a similar way in both events. Finally, we also provide direct evidence on the relationship between exports and tariff reductions brought by NAFTA. Our results support the view that NAFTA has allowed Mexican producers to respond more quickly to real exchange shocks.     

Firm-level export duration: The importance of market-specific ownership linkages

This paper explores the impact of a firm's market-specific ownership linkages and trade complementarities on different dimensions of its exporting longevity. Unlike previous studies that were mostly based on country-product-level data, this paper uses transaction-level trade data on the population of firms in Slovenia in the 2002–11 period, matched with detailed origin/direction of inward/outward FDI information to determine a firm's integration in international production networks. Our results indicate that firm's bilateral inward and outward FDI flows with an export-destination country have a strong positive effect on a firm's export survival in that market. Importance of market-specific ownership linkages for export duration is exclusively driven by intermediate goods which suggests prolonged export duration through production network involvement. However, the perseverance effect of bilateral FDI ties on export spells has been weakened during the crisis period. We find pronounced market- and product-related trade complementarities as either exporting or importing experience with the relevant market/product substantially improves the chances of a product–market export spell continuing. Finally, the risk of exports termination is lower for a firm's core export products.