The Social Vector of the Development of Russia

Portrayals of corporate social responsibility: A comparative analysis of a Russian and a Canadian newspaper

“…to employees and their families, while the latter meant the social dimension of businesses' interactions with employees, communities, and the civil society (Zhiltsov 1995). After the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991, the Russian government adopted the course of the economic policy reforms in line with the Washington consensus, when the social needs (including such fundamental ones as healthcare) came second to quick economic development at any cost (Rimashevskaya 2005). The comprehensive social infrastructure system ('Sotzialka') became unaffordable to enterprises, and was discarded first as a spontaneous reaction to the collapse and crisis, and then in a deliberate effort to reduce the production costs during restructuring and privatization.…”

“…The state authority and supremacy over the economy and its agents, although somewhat decreased during the presidency of Boris Eltzin, never disappeared from the Russian institutional and cultural framework (Krasin 2004), and was considerably reinforced during the presidency of Vladimir Putin. It is also important that the names of the oligarchs have been associated to many Russians not only with the controversial experiences of privatization, but also with the profound economic crisis and social degradation that accompanied it (Lane 1999;Rimashevskaya 2005). Moreover, the Russian oil industry, by being a major source of tax revenue and wealth, is not only a major site of struggles and controversies between the power holders within Russia, but also has an international dimension, being a point of strategic interest for international corporations, international financial institutions, and Western governments (Lane 1999).…”

“…However, large business may be amenable to do it as a short-term solution. It is very important to mention in this connection that although the Russian government has always called its reforms "social", it has increasingly placed responsibility for financing the social support system on individuals and firms (Rimashevskaya 2005). Thus in Russia corporations were reproached for reluctance in accepting corporate social responsibility as their permanent obligation and duty.…”