Analysis of the institutional framework for the development of cooperative entrepreneurship in modern Russia

Abstract

The article investigates the main reasons for the low level of cooperative entrepreneurship in Russia. A historical review of the state of the cooperative movement of pre-revolutionary Russia is also given. The analysis is based on studies conducted by the International cooperative Alliance, such as the world cooperative monitoring and calculations of the Cooperative economic index. The interrelation between the level of development of the state, democratic, cultural, social, economic institutions and the level of development of cooperatives in the country is considered. It is also noted that Russia until 1917 and before the absolutization of state property, was a world leader in the number of cooperatives and their impact on the development of various economic sectors. The article presents an attempt to explain the small number of cooperative enterprises in the country through the indicators of Hofstede cultural dimensions used to assess differences between Nations and cultures in the organization and conduct of economic activities. Also, in order to assess the institutional environment for the development of cooperative entrepreneurship in the country the author studied: the indicator of the ease of opening and doing business in the country (Doing Business); the indicator of the quality of public administration (Governance Indicators); the indicator of socio-economic stratification (Gini Coefficient); the Democracy Index (Democracy Index). The basic institutional reasons for the low development of cooperative entrepreneurship in the country are identified.