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Interest groups in post-communist countries: a comparative analysis of business and employer associations

Duvanova, Dinissa S.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1183919779

Abstract Details

2007, Doctor of Philosophy, Ohio State University, Political Science.
In the past 15 years, the post-communist countries have attempted to rebuild state society relations. Central to this process has been the formation of business associations. Existing literature often treats business associations as marginal players. This dissertation demonstrates that they are important organizations that have a profound effect on the political and economic life of post-communist countries. Moreover, while scholars have examined the behavior and influence of interest groups, the actual causes of group formation remain underdeveloped. This dissertation examines the creation of business associations and their subsequent development across countries and economic sectors. Based on a cross-national survey of firms in 25 countries as well as a comparative analysis of business interest representation in Russia, Ukraine, Croatia, and Kazakhstan, it finds that low-level bureaucratic corruption and excessive state regulations facilitate the formation of business associations. It argues that increasing bureaucratic pressure on businesses stimulates collective action to combat corruption. Another empirical finding is that firms in different sectors of the economy are unequally represented by business associations. Contrary to prevailing theoretical arguments, firms in the service sector are most likely to join business associations, while firms in mining and heavy industry are least likely to join. This is consistent with the previous argument because firms in service sectors are more vulnerable to invasive regulations. Analysis suggests that the nature of state regulatory institutions affects business association formation. When corruption and regulations by bureaucrats are rampant, businesses have greater incentives to join associations providing legitimate means to counter bureaucratic pressure. Thus, business associations arise as a defensive mechanism to protect business against corruption and extensive regulation. This contributes to the debates about the sources of civil society organizations suggesting, ironically, that petty corruption may strengthen business associations – a crucial element of civil society. In addition, this investigation contributes to the on-going exploration of economic transitions and evolving patterns of governance in the postcommunist countries of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet republics. Identifying the roots of the formation of business interests is a critical step in advancing a more general understanding of the development of capitalism in the post-communist countries.
Timothy Frye (Advisor)
323 p.
Political Science, General
Interest Groups; Post-Communist Transitions; Eastern Europe; Collective Action

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Citations

  • Duvanova, D. S. (2007). Interest groups in post-communist countries: a comparative analysis of business and employer associations [Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1183919779

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Duvanova, Dinissa. Interest groups in post-communist countries: a comparative analysis of business and employer associations. 2007. Ohio State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1183919779.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Duvanova, Dinissa. "Interest groups in post-communist countries: a comparative analysis of business and employer associations." Doctoral dissertation, Ohio State University, 2007. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1183919779

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.