The ethical orientation of Russian entrepreneurs

Ethics has been a significant concern in the management literature and rece nt efforts have investigated ethical orientations across culture. However, little, if any, work has looked at ethical orientations among entrepreneurs and managers in the transforming Russian economy. This study surveyed the ethical orientations of Russian owner-managers (n=194) involved in entrepre neurial and privatisation activities. A cross-cultural comparison to US nor mative responses found no difference in Machiavellian orientation in genera l, though female Russian entrepreneurs perceived themselves as more likely to engage in opportunistic behaviour. Additionally, Russian entrepreneurs i n general perceived themselves as more ethically rigid. These respondents a lso felt Russian organisations fostered more interpersonally collective but structurally opportunistic organisational climates.