I- and C-Russia: Results of an empirical analysis

This paper proposes a new approach to measuring the cultural dimension of individualism—collectivism at the regional level in Russia. The study aims (i) to identify regional differences in workplace practices associated with individualism—collectivism and (ii) to examine the relationships between the resulting individualism—collectivism indicator and its traditional correlates, including per capita income, innovation, creativity, entrepreneurial activity, and reproductive behavior. Using survey data for 46.8 thousand employees of a large Russian company across the country’s regions and applying an ecological approach that separates regional cultural specificity from individual characteristics, the paper constructs an individualism—collectivism index for 81 Russian regions. The robustness of the observed regional differences and the consistency of the index with alternative individualism—collectivism measures are assessed. Correlation and regression analyses reveal stable positive associations between individualism and entrepreneurial activity as well as trust, and a negative association with large families (higher-parity fertility). The paper concludes that the presence of cultural differences in individualism—collectivism across Russia calls for a specific institutional design of formal institutions to align them with prevailing cultural norms.