Management Strategies in Transitional Economies : Doing Business in Kazakhstan

Abstract: The purpose of this thesis is to increase an understanding about management strategies in transitional economies from the perspective of creativity/entrepreneurship, control, trust and social/cultural changes. The study is carried out through a case study of management strategies in a transition economy, Kazakhstan. Transitional economies are not a new interest for management research. However not many studies have been made in Kazakhstan about management strategies, compared to the countries that are situated closer to Europe, such as East European countries.. There are not so many studies done about the Central Asian transition economies like Kazakhstan. Therefore a country like Kazakhstan can contribute to the literature. Another important distinction in research of transitional economies is whether it concerns local experiences or cross- cultural experiences. The study shows the perspective of Kazakhstani managers on creativity/entrepreneurship, control, trust and social/cultural change and their perceptions of western management strategies. The study shows that there are two phases in a transition economy. The first phase is in the beginning of a transition economy, that time is characterized as chaotic and unpredictable. The second phase is the time when the economy becomes more stable and people get values back based on socialism and used them in business. In the present time, the values are formed through a mixture socialism and capitalism. The process of transition influences the four variables: creativity/entrepreneurship, control, trust and social/cultural changes. It also influenced the way of management in transitional economy. At the end of the thesis there will be given some theoretical and managerial implications of the thesis, the limitations of the thesis and the suggestions for future research.