Title: The role of government policy in post-communist Europe: a multi-country qualitative study

Authors: Leo Paul Dana, Bella L. Galperin

Addresses: GSCM-Montpellier Business School, Montpellier, France; University of Canterbury, New Zealand. ' John H. Sykes College of Business, The University of Tampa, USA

Abstract: Post-communist Europe provides a rich context to examine the role of governmental policies in entrepreneurial activity. While transitional economies shared similar experiences during their journey to a market economy, one is able to see differences in their approaches. This qualitative study examines the effect of governmental policies in Poland, Hungary and the Baltic States. The findings suggest that the implementation of different policy approaches has led to differences in entrepreneurial activity. During its initial phases of transition, Poland adopted an aggressive policy in supporting entrepreneurial efforts; Hungary was more cautious with some aspects of transition, but it was more radical than Poland in restructuring efforts. Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania took very significant actions in reducing taxes; timing and predictability appear to be important. Finally, future research directions and implications for managers are discussed.

Keywords: public policy; Eastern Europe; entrepreneurship; context; environment; transition economies; Baltic republics; government policy; post-communist Europe; Poland; Hungary; Estonia; Latvia; Lithuania.

DOI: 10.1504/GBER.2008.020596

Global Business and Economics Review, 2008 Vol.10 No.4, pp.467 - 490

Published online: 01 Oct 2008 *

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