Results of our studies

IN BRIEF

Most of Russians perceive Ukraine as a fraternal country, despite recent conflicts and difficulties in bilateral relations.

MOSCOW, July 17, 2019. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the findings of a survey devoted to the attitudes of Russians towards Ukraine and its citizens.

 

Most of Russian entrepreneurs say that conditions for business operations in Russia are unfavorable (71%). Just 15% consider that the government is taking active measures to support business. Despite that, most of respondents (76%) would choose to run their own business in case they had a choice.

Entrepreneurs mention both macroeconomic and institutional problems as negative factors affecting business operations in Russia. They are as follows: financial well-being of Russians (81%), corruption levels (72%), and oil prices (71%). Certain negative factors refer to justice system: the level of legal protection of the business owners, justice system functioning (62%), legal regulations in business (62%), regulatory and supervisory authorities (63%). However entrepreneurs say that domestic market competition (47%), stable political system and internal political situation (35%), and availability of credits (28%) positively shape business activities.

Decreased demand for goods and services (72%) is the most likely risk mentioned by entrepreneurs. The key risks involve growth of taxes (70%), unpredictable changes in legislation (64%), and high costs (63%). Every second respondent (52%) has concerns related to justice system imperfections and low rate of not guilty verdicts. Problems with law-enforcement bodies (41%) and illegal seizure (25%) also pose high risks. The least probable risks involve national default and economic system destabilization (20%) and changes in political situation (22%).

More than half of respondents (51%) are skeptical about the future; they expect deterioration in the business conditions in a five-year plan perspective. Only 23% of Russian businessmen think they will be able to implement their long-term strategies. Every third entrepreneur intends to keep the business operations at the current level; about the same share of respondents (26%) prefers to get short-term returns. A further 10% ponder over closing down their businesses; 6% would like to sell them.  

The national survey was commissioned by “Platforma” Social Design Center and conducted June 11 through 17, 2019.  The survey was telephone-based and involved 500 respondents representing Russian large, medium and small enterprises. The margin of error at a 95% confidence level does not exceed 4.5%. In addition to sampling error, minor changes in question wording and different circumstances arising during the fieldwork can introduce bias into the survey.

 

In your opinion, are the conditions for business operations favorable or unfavorable in Russia today?

 (closed-ended question, one answer, %)

 

Total respondents

Definitely favorable

2

Likely favorable

25

Likely unfavorable

36

Definitely unfavorable

35

Don’t know 

2

Which of the statement do you most agree with?  

(closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

The government takes active measures to support  entrepreneurs and business development

15

The government does not take enough measures to help entrepreneurs and business  

80

Don’t know 

5

Some time ago you took a decision to start your own business. If you had a choice today again – to work for a company or to run your own business – what would you do?

( closed-ended question, one answer, % of total respondents)

I would choose my own business

76

I would prefer to work for a company 

16

Even given a lower income, I would prefer to work a company

4

Don’t know 

4

In your opinion, what are the key factors affecting business operations in Russia today? Are those factors positive or negative? (closed-ended question, one answer per line, % of total respondents)

 

Definitely negative

Likely negative

Likely positive

Definitely positive

No impact

Don’t know

People’s financial well-being 

50

31

9

4

4

2

Corruption 

48

24

4

3

17

4

Monopolization

41

29

7

2

16

5

Oil prices

36

35

6

2

19

2

Legal protection of business owner, justice system functioning

32

30

13

2

16

7

Legal regulations

29

33

14

2

16

6

Work of regulatory and supervisory bodies

27

36

17

2

14

4

Financial situation, available credits

25

24

23

5

15

8

Education  system, level of personnel training

22

36

19

6

13

4

Political situation, sanctions

21

30

12

5

30

2

Internal political situation, stable political system

20

23

23

12

16

6

Situation in the labor market, staffing

19

36

20

6

17

2

Competition in the domestic market  

12

20

39

8

17

4

Level of corporate administration

5

16

21

5

30

23

Level of inter-state interaction 

5

13

22

4

41

15

Speaking about Russian entrepreneurs, what risks do you consider as high/small?

 (closed-ended question, one answer per line, % of total respondents)

 

Very high

High

Average

Low

Don’t know

No such risks

Decrease in purchasing power, decrease in demand  

39

33

17

7

3

1

Tax level

34

36

22

5

2

1

Unpredictable changes in legislation  

32

32

21

9

4

2

Imperfections of justice system, low rate of not guilty verdicts, lack of protection of  entrepreneurs  

28

24

24

10

10

4

Corrupt payments to tackle  administrative matters

22

26

20

11

13

8

Increase of costs

21

42

25

5

5

2

Market  monopolization

19

30

31

6

9

5

Problems with law enforcement bodies

19

22

26

11

20

2

Frequent inspections, high activity of regularity and supervisory bodies

17

22

36

14

9

2

Unstable economy, possible national default 

15

26

24

20

10

5

Decrease in investment

14

25

26

11

14

10

Competition from the shadow market

13

16

26

19

21

5

Risks of illegal seizure

9

16

28

26

19

2

Changes in political situation

7

19

24

22

22

6

In your opinion, how will the business conditions change in a five-year perspective - will they deteriorate/improve/stay the same? (closed-ended question, one answer, %)

 

Total respondents

They will definitely improve

3

They are likely to improve

17

They will not change

23

They are likely to deteriorate

30

They will definitely deteriorate

21

Don’t know 

6

Which of the following business strategies best meets the business plan goals of your company within the next three years?  (closed-ended question, one answer, %)

 

Total respondents

Investing in long-term business development  

23

Steady development with short-term returns

26

Keeping business operations at the  current level

33

Closing up of business

10

Sale of business

6

Don’t know 

2

 

Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM, the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory.

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