Cultural Dimensions and Modern Russian Business

Abstract

Human behavior and its result in the business sphere are based on values and norms, which, in turn, have their roots in the national culture. One of the most influential concepts of comprehending national cultures and assessing their impact on business sphere was developed by worldwide famous Dutch scholar G. Hofstede during 1960-1980-ies. The main advantage of the Hofstede’s concept is that he suggested measurable constructs that describe mental programs and thus enables to compare different countries. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to introduce the findings of a recent measurement of the Russian culture conducted at the end of year 2006 and analyze expression of the cultural dimensions in modern business practices. This article is mainly intended for Western investors, managers and scholars who participate in work in or with present day Russia. It will also be of interest to students studying comparative management.