Russian entrepreneurs Moscow University for the Humanities Russian entrepreneurs in changing society Regional and gender features Poznyakov V., Sergeeva Y.

Russian entrepreneurs Moscow University for the Humanities Researching program The subject of the research was the entrepreneurs from Moscow and different regions of Russia. The research studied psychological attitude of entrepreneurs to different areas of their economic activity.

Russian entrepreneurs Moscow University for the Humanities Researching program In the research done in 1997 the sample consisted of 206 small and middle venture entrepreneurs of Moscow and Central Russia. The research led in 2001 covered 285 small and middle venture entrepreneurs of Moscow, Central Russia and Siberia. Another one research was organized in All in all, the quantity of the sample accounted 835 representatives over the period of more than ten years. [1 ] [1 ] [1][1] Grant supported by RGNF (grant е) и RFFI (grant № а).

Russian entrepreneurs Moscow University for the Humanities Table 1- Entrepreneurial motivation (1997, 2007)* *First figure stands for average range of impotency of this motivation in the sample; the second figure is assigned range. **Difference in evaluation in motivation significance is statistically important (p<0.01). MotivationEntrepreneurs from MoscowRegionsMoscowRegions 1. Autonomy and self- dependency 2,04 (1)2,24 (2)2,24 (1)1,89 (1) 2. Possibility to self- achievement 2,67 (3)2,75 (3)2,58 (3)2,46 (3) 3. Financial prosperity** 2,16 (2)1,77 (1)2,32 (2)2,25 (2) 4. Social utility for people 4,19 (5)4,31 (5)4,87 (5)4,94 (5) 5. Social authority3,98 (4)3,92 (4)4,49 (4)4,53 (4)

Russian entrepreneurs Moscow University for the Humanities Table 2 - Evaluation of economic conditions favorability to perform entrepreneurial activity (seven-item scale, average) * Deviation significant р = 0.01 Entreprene urs Average*St. Deviation AverageSt. Deviation AverageSt. Deviation Moscowers Regional

Russian entrepreneurs Moscow University for the Humanities Evaluation of economic conditions favorability to perform entrepreneurial activity (seven-item scale, average)

Russian entrepreneurs Moscow University for the Humanities Table 3 Family well-being evaluation by entrepreneurs (seven–item scale average) *deviation significant р = 0.01 Entreprene urs Average*St. Deviation AverageSt. Deviation AverageSt. Deviation Moscowers4,121,234,191,364,501,31 Regional3,581,193,871,284,450,99

Russian entrepreneurs Moscow University for the Humanities Family well-being evaluation by entrepreneurs (seven–item scale average)

Russian entrepreneurs Moscow University for the Humanities Table 4 - Different aspects of entrepreneurial activity evaluation. Average value Characteristics of business activity MoscowRegionsMoscowRegionsMoscowRegions Attitude to competition3,373,223,563,433,583,30 Attitude to risk2,582,262,712,322,682,62 Partners reliability4,163,894,534,574,704,87 Trust to state structures2,872,462,752,842,773,30 Trust to entrepreneurial structures3,363,473,853,934,274,34 Business activity level5,154,244,5914,654,884,92 Current business activity success4,664,234,764,064,784,61 Meeting business targets4,41*3,694,504,414,685,01 Results satisfaction3,823,414,174,084,524,13 Evaluation of self-capacity4,66*3,824,764,525,085,05 Evaluation of self-competitiveness4,64*4,174,694,504,785,09 *-Deviation significant р<=0,05

Russian entrepreneurs Moscow University for the Humanities Different aspects of entrepreneurial activity evaluation. Average value

Russian entrepreneurs Moscow University for the Humanities Different aspects of entrepreneurial activity evaluation. Average value

Russian entrepreneurs Moscow University for the Humanities Characteristics of business activity Entrepreneurial group (2001) Entrepreneurial group (2007) MaleFemaleMaleFemale Attitude to competition 3,70*3,053,573,60 Competitiveness 4,61*4,014,934,50 Attitude to risk 2,55*2,302,802,45 Partners reliability 4,13*3,874,70 Trust to state authorities 2,842,512,872,55 Trust to entrepreneurial structure s 3,483,154,274,25 Assurance in own ability 4,69*3,765,055,15 Deviation significantр<=0,05 Table 5 - Gender differences in main points of entrepreneurial activity (average value)

Russian entrepreneurs Moscow University for the Humanities Gender differences in main points of entrepreneurial activity (average value)

Russian entrepreneurs Moscow University for the Humanities Conclusions:

Russian entrepreneurs Moscow University for the Humanities Region-based differences  According to the research in 1997 еmpirically witnessed region-based variations in socio-psychological characteristics of entrepreneurs are quite significant. Due to multiple factors business development in Moscow has been more active comparing to the regions.(Table 4)..  Socio-economical conditions for performing entrepreneurial activity in the Capital can be characterized by better formation of business cooperation and more favorable environment for business development. Entrepreneurial business in Moscow is going ahead of business development in the regions.  Moscow entrepreneurs have expressed common socio-psychological characteristics of formed entrepreneurial group more strongly than in regions and showed formed psychological attitude typical for new Russian entrepreneurs.  Research in 2001 and 2007 showed no statistically significant region-based differences between attitude of entrepreneurs.

Russian entrepreneurs Moscow University for the Humanities Gender-based differences  According to the research in 2001 male entrepreneurs appreciate risk and competition more positively comparing to females. Males see their competitiveness higher than females. Male also have higher appreciation of their own capacity in venture developing.  Female entrepreneurs show lower trust in general both to governmental and Entrepreneurial organizations. They see reliability of their partners as low (Table 5).  Moscow female entrepreneurs show the indicators that are very close to male entrepreneurs in the area of attitude to competition and risk. That is more masculine characteristics.  Differences in psychological attitude between male and female entrepreneurs are regionally-dependent. That is more gender-based (socio- cultural) rather than just biological sex-based differences.  Research in 2007 showed no statistically significant differences between attitude of male and female entrepreneurs.

Russian entrepreneurs Moscow University for the Humanities  Trust inside entrepreneurial environment is significantly higher than trust to state organizations.  Data gathered from 1997 to 2007 indicates growing trust level inside entrepreneurial structures and stable low trust to state ones.  All these facts considered we make a conclusion that a new social group of entrepreneurs with high level of inside community and mutual trust was formed. Trust in entrepreneurial structures

Russian entrepreneurs Moscow University for the Humanities Conclusion  There is a stable tendency of gradual decreasing of psychological differences between regional and Moscow entrepreneurs.  Psychological characteristics of regional entrepreneurs are approaching to Moscow entrepreneurs characteristics.  Female entrepreneurs are also getting closer in their psychological differences to male entrepreneurs.  However, receiving substantial proof of these findings demands further thorough researches.

Russian entrepreneurs Moscow University for the Humanities Thank you for attention