Professional and Business Associations in Russia: Functions and Their Determinants

Abstract

This paper examines functions and factors that determine their fulfilment by professional and business associations in the context of transition environment in Russia. Theoretically, it is based upon an integrative framework of nonprofits’ functions. We investigate the influence of organizational age, size and associations’ relations with the state on the relative importance of the advocacy, community building and service delivery functions. The original dataset for this study was collected from 215 associations across Russia. The findings show that the absolute majority of the associations are multifunctional. Advocacy is considered to be the most important function of these associations. Findings prove substantial influence of the examined factors on the composition of functions that associations fulfill.