The “revolving doors” practice in Russia: Movements from public authorities to GR-management of companies (based on the analysis of biographies)

Abstract

The article discusses the practice of transitions of public officials to the GR-management of companies and the factors that determine it. The empirical basis of research is a biographical database of 279 GR directors included in the ratings published in the Kommersant newspaper in 2010–2021. For each of them, a biographical questionnaire was filled out containing information about the date of birth, type of education and career path; which was then statistically processed. The sources of information were the websites of companies, authorities and other organizations, corporate reports, media materials, biographical Internet portals. The author makes a number of conclusions. Firstly, although work experience in state apparatus is quite widespread among GR managers, it is not an indispensable prerequisite for holding such positions. Secondly, most common among GR managers are figures with experience in the federal administration (especially in economic departments), while people from representative bodies, as well as from regional and local administrations, are much less common. Thirdly, most often people from public authorities work as GR managers in state-owned companies, and least often in foreign companies. In terms of industry, the most common political and administrative experience is among managers in industries that are highly subject to state regulation, such as the fuel and energy complex and metallurgy. At the same time, there is a tendency for officials to move to work in companies belonging to subordinate industries. The factors of transition of politicians and officials to the positions of GR managers are considered, in particular, such as career interests of statesmen, legislative restrictions on the employment of officials in business after resignation, the interest of firms in hiring people from the state apparatus. It is noted that the mass migration of public figures into business may create a conflict of interest.