Post-Soviet informality: towards theory-building

Abstract

Purpose -This study suggests that informal practices and institutions of post-Soviet countries differ from informality in other post-socialist regions and, therefore, proposes categorizing it as 'post-Soviet informality' -a composite definition that extends beyond the concept of 'informal economy' and encompasses, along with economic activities, social and political spheres.Design/methodology/approach -The arguments of the paper are based on a comprehensive analysis of secondary sources.Findings -This article shows that, owing to the effects of antecedent regime's legacies and the problems of post-communist transition, for the proper analysis of informality in post-Soviet countries it needs to be based on an own concept.Originality/value -This study, in contrast to the existing literature on informality in post-communist spaces, specifically focuses on the informal sphere of post-Soviet countries, suggesting that the informal institutions and practices thriving across the vast post-Soviet space not only differ from the informal spheres elsewhere in the world, but also from informality in other post-communist regions.

Tackling enterprise in the informal economy: an introductory overview

“…Rather than take no action, transfer formal enterprise into the informal economy or eradicate informal enterprise, a fourth and final possibility is to formalize informal enterprise (Aliyev, 2015;Dekker et al, 2010;European Commission, 2007, Renooy et al, 2004Small Business Council, 2004, Williams, 2006Williams and Nadin, 2012a,b, 2013Williams and Renooy, 2013).…”

Tackling the Propensity towards Undeclared Work: Some Policy Lessons from Croatia

“…In this paper, and reflecting the consensus in the literature, undeclared work is defined as paid work which is legal in all respects other than it is not declared to the authorities for tax, social security or labour law purposes (Aliyev 2015;Boels 2014;European Commission 2007;OECD 2012;Polese and Rodgers 2011;Williams 2014a,b). If it is not legal in all other respects, it is not part of the undeclared economy.…”

Beyond the marginalisation thesis: evaluating participation in informal sector entrepreneurship

“…As the ILO (2002) find, in sub-Saharan Africa 70 per cent of those operating in the informal sector are doing so on a self-employed basis, 62 per cent in North Africa, 60 per cent in Latin America and 59 per cent in Asia. Subsequently, the self-employed have been similarly shown to constitute the vast majority of the informal labour force in advanced western economies (Boels, 2014;Katungi et al 2006;Small Business Council, 2004;Snyder, 2004;Williams, 2014a,b; and also post-socialist transition economies (Aliyev, 2015;Chavdarova, 2014;Likic-Brboric et al, 2013;Round et al, 2008;Williams, 2014c;Williams and Horodnic, 2015;.…”