An integrative view on managerial discretion : a study of a Russian firm in transition

What are the forces that influence strategic managerial decisions in the context of economic transition? In this paper, we analyse how strategic and governance forces influence the degree of discretion perceived by managers operating in the context of the transition economy of Russia. An exploratory case study provides insights about the managerial decision-making process in a transition economy through the exploration of context-specific factors that shape the perceived degree of managerial discretion. The findings of the paper redefine the concept, indicating the existence of a relationship between strategic and governance forces and their joint influence on managerial discretion. Our results provide a number of practical and theoretical implications for the managerial decisionmaking process in Eastern Europe.