In order to answer the first research question, the responses of online questionnaire are examined. Based on the qualifications of companies, the questionnaire was sent to Russian entrepreneurs who participated in support program provided in Finland to foreign start-up firms. According to the representative of the support program, Russian entrepreneurs and relatively their start-up firms are mainly characterized with high technological orientation. The Finnish program is designed to provide support in terms of consulting and coaching services to start-up firms which are in their initial stages of starting their business operations. The name of the support program is not mentioned in this thesis related to confidentiality of companies which participated in it.
The questionnaire was sent altogether to five companies, and four responses were received. All of these responses were qualified for further analysis. According to the answers, two of the Russian companies were established as pure start-up firms; while one was established as competitive entry on the markets. One start-up firm was characterized as a corporate spinoff. In terms of international presence of these start-up firms, only one was already presented abroad – in the United States of America. When asked about the plans of internationalization in the future, two of the three companies which currently were not presented abroad stated that they planned to enter USA, China, Japan, India and CIS countries (Commonwealth of Independent States). Only one of the four
Russian start-up firms was planning to internationalize to Finland. In terms of the main product or service modifications for international markets, only one Russian entrepreneur mentioned language translations. Two of the four companies did not require any modifications with their products and services because of the fact that these companies were targeting global markets right from their inception. One entrepreneur did not provide an answer to this particular question.
When asked about experiences related to the support program in which these companies participated, all of the respondents highlighted their positive opinions. These entrepreneurs in particular raised consultancy, mentoring and learning as well as possibilities to establish networks and get basic contacts as the main benefits gained through the Finnish program for foreign start-up firms. This program in particular provides mainly coaching services and involves investors and other professionals in order to help foreign start-up firms in achieving their goals.
According to the results of the online questionnaire, the attitudes of Russian entrepreneurs towards Finnish institutional environment are either neutral or positive. Only one of the respondents views Finland as not welcoming country for foreign start-up firms. The entrepreneurs who view Finnish institutional environment as welcoming, state that the climate in Finland for start-up firms is suitable, culture is tolerant, and opportunities are provided on a higher level. When asked to compare Finnish support operations with Russian ones, the respondents stated that, from their perspective, Russian support programs are not as effective and valuable enough as Finnish ones. One of the entrepreneurs highlighted that in Russia it is rather more beneficial to start business operations without any support than with support. The essential issue which was raised by every respondent was the fact that in Russia the amount of required paperwork and documentation exceeds significantly the level required in Finland. In terms of general discussion related to whether socio-economic environment of a country has an effect on growth of start-up firms or not,
all of the respondents stated that it does have a rather crucial effect.
According to the arguments of respondents, in general, governments should eliminate all barriers of trade, such as customs and high taxes, and enable stability of financial markets in the country in order to promote the growth of start-up firms even further.
When discussing the support operations which are viewed to have the most significant effect on start-up firms’ establishment and operations, in general, the Russian entrepreneurs responded that star-up firms require foremost consultancy, mentoring and advisory services. In addition, it is also essential to provide networking opportunities and basic contacts to start-up firms in the beginning of their business operations. Only after these factors, financial and legal support is viewed to be required.
According to the Russian entrepreneurs, on a third level of most significant support operations, start-up firms might require some level of guidance with their future marketing and human resource operations, or customer and partner search.
All in all, it can be concluded that based on the first part of the research, Russian entrepreneurs are highly motivated for establishing international and even global start-up companies. The entrepreneurs involved in the research are viewed to be determined with their future business plans.
The willingness to develop not only organizational and technological knowledge but also entrepreneurs’ personal knowledge related to the global business operations and networks, was emphasized by the respondents in every question. As a result, it should be concluded that Russian entrepreneurs are characterized as active, determined and knowledgeable actors in the global business sphere.