International Joint Ventures: Soviet and Western Perspectives

This is a study of the principal issues surrounding the negotiation and operation of joint ventures in the Soviet Union. The contributors, including both Soviet and Western trade experts and economists, aim to combine a strong theoretical base with practical analysis of the problems that Soviet and Western business people have encountered in the Soviet economic environment. To that end, the study maintains a historical perspective but places primary emphasis on presenting realistic visions of present and future policy directions in this area. Divided into five parts, the volume begins by focusing on the motivations for Western businesses to invest in the soviet Union and the steps that Soviet officials and managers can take to help satisfy and strengthen these motivations. Part 2 examines the lessons that can be drawn from joint venture experiences in Eastern Europe and China. In the third section, Soviet and Western contributors explore the painful process of economic reform in the Soviet Union and its implications for Western trade and investment. Specific attention is given to the legal framework within which Western firms would be required to operate. The contributors next examine the practical problems encountered by joint ventures in the Soviet Union, drawing upon both the latest data from Soviet central government and their own extensive questionnaire mailing. Finally, the authors provide recommendations on how the Western and Soviet governments and business communities can structure their approaches to optimize the chances for successful joint ventures.