Corporate Raiding in Ukraine: Prevention, Defense, and Policy Reform

Abstract

Corporate raiding (‘reiderstvo’) is widely recognized as a major obstacle to post-Communist economic and political modernization and—in recent years—has been more prevalent in Ukraine than in any other similarly large and advanced economy. Yet the problem is poorly understood by the business community, policymakers, and the public at large. Based on the author’s field research in Ukraine, this article examines Ukrainian and international businesses’ vulnerabilities to raider attacks, offers an overview of strategies that may prevent or preempt raids, and describes active defensive strategies that may be deployed when an attack is already under way. Finally, the article provides an assessment of relevant legal and administrative reform efforts and, also, suggests priorities for development of future policies.