Measuring the Impact of Russian Privatisation at the Turn of the Century: An Introduction to the Symposium

In this paper, we introduce our survey of 437 Russian industrial enterprises, 1997-1999. We gathered data on enterprise performance, both qualitative and quantitative, and four determining features of the Russian industrial environment – ownership structure (state, insider, outsider); competition (domestic and international); governance (ownership versus control); and financial constraints. The Special Issue contains papers explaining the relationship between each of these factors and enterprise performance. In the final paper, we consider the effects jointly, and their interactions. Survey methodology is outlined in the Appendix. Comparative Economic Studies (2003) 45, 109–116. doi:10.1057/palgrave.ces.8100011