CSR and the legitimacy of business in transition economies: The case of Russia

This study investigates the attitudes of Russian executives towards corporate social responsibility. The empirical study is based on an original survey of executive managers of 129 medium and large industrial enterprises in all regions of Russia. The questionnaire was designed using some important conclusions made by theorists who have analysed the development of CSR in mature capitalist economies. The objective was to probe whether the reaction by Russian managers would be in line with expectations grounded in western theoretical constructs, in particular the concept of business legitimacy. The study provides evidence of a discrepancy between anticipated outcomes based on the studies, reflecting western practice, and actual attitudes shown by Russian managers. A range of economic, social and political factors are considered in the discussion section in the search for an explanation of these results.