Towards entrepreneurship and innovation in Russia

Abstract

Since the transformation of the economic system in Russia, it has been possible to observe differences in the mindset of Russian people toward free market based enterprising culture. An empirical study was conducted to investigate attitudes toward enterprising culture among groups of entrepreneurs, managers and students. The Entrepreneurial Attitude Orientation (EAO) was professionally translated and used to assess attitudes toward achievement, innovation, personal control, and self-esteem, as these relate to development of free market business systems. Significant differences were found between entrepreneurs and managers, on achievement, personal control and self-esteem, but not on innovation. When subjects were divided according to age, a similar pattern of significant differences was also found between the older respondents (entrepreneurs and managers), and the younger respondents (students). Findings support a theory of differences in attitudes, along the lines of generations.