Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book discusses the ethical problems arising when moving from a centrally planned to a market-driven economy. It argues that any successful movement toward a Western style market economy will require significant social change in order to produce a system in which certain institutional and moral conditions can exist. The book focuses on the dearth of research about the dramatic changes taking place in Central and Eastern Europe with particular reference to studies on transformation and entrepreneurship. It explains the managerial challenges during organizational re-creation. The book explores the emergence of entrepreneurs in post-communist Russia. It also discusses the factors that affect the strategic decision-making process in the Romanian banking industry. The book deals with the life and consumption styles in former East Germany after the collapse of the Berlin Wall.