Dissertation: Russian public officials in Finnish MNC business networks
18.12.2012
The doctoral dissertation of Katja Heikkilä, M.Sc. (Econ. & Bus. Adm.), focuses on the relationship between Finnish multinational corporations and Russian public officials. The dissertation sets out from the interest shown by these corporations in the Russian market and, on the other hand, the management challenges they face within it. The findings indicate that the multi-dimensionality of internationally operating companies is a key factor in their relationship with Russian authorities .
Russian public officials are often described as unpredictable and bureaucratic. Heikkilä's dissertation places the Russian operative environment within a research context and concentrates on the management of multinational corporations in these challenging surroundings. Her research offers a slightly unconventional angle on the subject, as it excludes possible corruption.
Adopting a so-called networking perspective enables the researcher to study the corporation as a multi-dimensional and heterogeneous unit facing the authorities, and to include third parties in the management framework of reference.
The results suggest the structural complexity of a multi-national corporation to be a main factor for its relationship with public officials in Russia. The research identified parallel relationship management structures and found their harmonisation to be a key administrative task. Other important factors pointed out by the study are the attitude and competence of the persons directly or indirectly involved with governmental action.
Further noteworthy findings include the observation that, in addition to organisational changes within various Russian authorities, changes within the corporation itself have an impact on networking.
"In certain industries, responding to customer requests is also an important skill“, Heikkilä adds. "It requires good knowledge of local governmental practices. The research showed this to be of particular significance in the case of two international actors meeting each other in the Russian market."
Russian public officials are often described as unpredictable and bureaucratic. Heikkilä's dissertation places the Russian operative environment within a research context and concentrates on the management of multinational corporations in these challenging surroundings. Her research offers a slightly unconventional angle on the subject, as it excludes possible corruption.
Adopting a so-called networking perspective enables the researcher to study the corporation as a multi-dimensional and heterogeneous unit facing the authorities, and to include third parties in the management framework of reference.
The results suggest the structural complexity of a multi-national corporation to be a main factor for its relationship with public officials in Russia. The research identified parallel relationship management structures and found their harmonisation to be a key administrative task. Other important factors pointed out by the study are the attitude and competence of the persons directly or indirectly involved with governmental action.
Further noteworthy findings include the observation that, in addition to organisational changes within various Russian authorities, changes within the corporation itself have an impact on networking.
"In certain industries, responding to customer requests is also an important skill“, Heikkilä adds. "It requires good knowledge of local governmental practices. The research showed this to be of particular significance in the case of two international actors meeting each other in the Russian market."