A longitudinal survey of small business entrepreneurs was
conducted in Russia in two stages: in 1994 and in 2008. This study examined
entrepreneurial climate and developments in Russia's small businesses with a focus
on motivations and obstacles in starting up and operating businesses. It also aimed
at analyzing entrepreneurs' needs for training, consulting, and other types of
assistance in a comparative context. Russia's climate for small and medium
enterprises (SME) and entrepreneurship has improved, although it is still a work in
progress. The 2008 survey indicated younger age, greater share of female
entrepreneurs, and remaining small size of the firms. Though the level of SME
entrepreneurial activities in Russia is still lower than in major developed
economies, the gap is diminishing. Thise study found no significant differences
between 1994 and 2008 in terms of entrepreneurial motivations and obstacles;
several shifts and trends in motivations and obstacles were identified in their
relative importance in SME dynamics.