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Russian volatility : obstacle to firm survival and diversification

Author

Listed:
  • Gonzalez, Alvaro S.
  • Iacovone, Leonardo
  • Subhash, Hari

Abstract

The need for economic diversification receives a great deal of attention in Russia. This paper looks at a way to improve it that is essential but largely ignored: how to help diversifying firms better survive economic cycles. By definition, economic diversification means doing new things in new sectors and/or in new markets. The fate of emerging firms, therefore, should be of great concern to policy makers. This paper indicates that the ups and downs -- the volatility -- of Russian economic growth are key to that fate. Volatility of growth is higher in Russia than in comparable economies because its slumps are both longer and deeper. They go beyond the cleansing effects of eliminating the least efficient firms; relatively efficient ones get swept away as well. In fact, an incumbency advantage improves a firm's chances of weathering the ups and downs of the economy, regardless of a firm's relative efficiency. Finally, firms in sectors where competition is less intense are less likely to exit the market, regardless of their relative efficiency. Two policy conclusions emerge from these findings -- one macroeconomic and one microeconomic. First, the importance of countercyclical policies is heightened to include efficiency elements. Second, strengthening competition and other factors that support the survival of new, emerging and efficient firms will promote economic diversification. Efforts to help small and medium enterprises may be better spent on removing the obstacles that young, infant firms face as they attempt to enter, survive and grow.

Suggested Citation

  • Gonzalez, Alvaro S. & Iacovone, Leonardo & Subhash, Hari, 2013. "Russian volatility : obstacle to firm survival and diversification," Policy Research Working Paper Series 6605, The World Bank.
  • Handle: RePEc:wbk:wbrwps:6605
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Golikova Victoria & Kuznetsov Boris, 2016. "The Role of Innovation and Globalization Strategies in Post-Crisis Recovery," HSE Working papers WP BRP 123/EC/2016, National Research University Higher School of Economics.
    2. Victoria Golikova & Boris Kuznetsov & Maxim Korotkov & Andrei Govorun, 2017. "Trajectories of Russian manufacturing firms’ growth after the global financial crisis of 2008–2009: the role of restructuring efforts and regional institutional environment," Post-Communist Economies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 29(2), pages 139-157, April.
    3. Victoria Golikova & Boris Kuznetsov, 2017. "Perception of risks associated with economic sanctions: the case of Russian manufacturing," Post-Soviet Affairs, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 33(1), pages 49-62, January.
    4. Thomas Farole & Esteban Ferro & Veronica Michel Gutierrez, 2017. "Job Creation in the Private Sector," World Bank Publications - Reports 28370, The World Bank Group.
    5. Kudrin, Alexey & Gurvich, Evsey, 2015. "A new growth model for the Russian economy1," Russian Journal of Economics, Elsevier, vol. 1(1), pages 30-54.

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