Foreign Direct Investment and Enterprise Performance in Transition Countries: Evidence from Russia and Ukraine

This study compares the performance of foreign firms with domestic ones in Russia and Ukraine, using recent survey data of 450 enterprises. We find that foreign owned firms are less prone to inter-enterprise arrears and wage arrears, have a better export performance, and use more sophisticated competition strategies. Foreign investment appears to enhance entrepreneurial know-how. In case of de novo firms foreign investment often led to a 'jump start' of the enterprise, rather than a gradual adjustment over time. Foreign firms have a positive spill-over effect. They introduce healthy financial management methods, and proliferate badly needed market oriented entrepreneurial know-how through the managerial market.