Title: Gaining competitiveness through trust: the experience of Russia

Authors: Andrei Kuznetsov, Olga Kuznetsova

Addresses: Lancashire Business School, University of Central Lancashire, Greenbank Building, Preston, PR1 2HE, UK. ' Manchester Metropolitan University Business School, Aytoun Building, Aytoun St., Manchester M1 3GH, UK

Abstract: This paper seeks to reveal the potential of the concept of national competitiveness as a practical analytical tool. The paper offers suggestions on how research on national competitiveness can contribute to setting targets for socio-economic agenda in transition economies with special focus on Russia. We start by stressing the importance of the institutional context as an element of national competitiveness and then concentrate on generalised trust. We analyse the situation with generalised trust in modern Russia and suggest that the development of corporate social responsibility is the most credible remedy for the deficiency of trust and, eventually, to competitiveness, in the short term.

Keywords: national competitiveness; social trust; institutions; corporate social responsibility; CSR; Russia; transition economies.

DOI: 10.1504/EJIM.2008.016926

European Journal of International Management, 2008 Vol.2 No.1, pp.22 - 38

Published online: 30 Jan 2008 *

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