Persistence and strengths of informal networks: clientelism in the post-Soviet Union

IF 1.2 4区管理学 Q4 MANAGEMENT

European Journal of International Management Pub Date : 2023-01-01 DOI:10.1504/ejim.2023.128428

Sven Horak, Verena Bader

引用次数: 1

Abstract

In this theoretical study, we challenge two prevalent assumptions in the international business domain: the 'disappearance of informal networks' and the 'strength of weak ties' assumptions. Drawing on cultural as well as informality studies, we explore the phenomenon of clientelism and its characteristics in the post-Soviet Union. We argue that informal ties based on patron-client relations are neither disappearing nor is weakness a characteristic that makes them strong. We propose that diverse clientelistic ties appear to persist in the post-Soviet Union, as they are culturally embedded and dynamically adjust to changes in the environment. Finally, we argue that the nature of clientelism is paradoxical: on the one hand, it is prone to favouritism, but when it comes to weak governments, clientelistic practices may, on the other hand, be seen as an effective means to overcome social boundaries by connecting persons of different social classes.

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非正式网络的持久性和优势:后苏联时期的裙带关系

在这一理论研究中，我们挑战了国际商业领域中两种流行的假设:“非正式网络的消失”和“弱关系的强度”假设。借鉴文化和非正式研究，我们探讨了后苏联时期的裙带主义现象及其特征。我们认为，建立在主顾关系基础上的非正式关系既没有消失，软弱也不是使其强大的特征。我们认为，在苏联解体后，各种各样的裙带关系似乎仍然存在，因为它们在文化上根深蒂固，并随着环境的变化而动态调整。最后，我们认为，庇护主义的本质是矛盾的:一方面，它容易产生偏袒，但当涉及到弱势政府时，另一方面，庇护主义的做法可能被视为通过连接不同社会阶层的人来克服社会界限的有效手段。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

European Journal of International Management MANAGEMENT-

CiteScore

2.00

自引率

5.60%

发文量

期刊介绍： EJIM is the first international journal devoted entirely to fostering an understanding of issues in international management theory and practice in the newly expanded European arena – including the underrepresented regions of Northern, Central and Eastern Europe – and to providing both conceptual and functional implications useful for the further development of research, teaching practices, and managerial techniques. EJIM also solicits literature that allows for a broader interpretation of research – it welcomes not only papers which adhere to the most common research standards (i.e., largely based on hypothesis testing using quantitative methods), but also those that introduce a more European perspective through qualitative and interdisciplinary contributions.