THE INTERNATIONAL EXPANSION OF RUSSIAN ENTERPRISES. LOOKING AT ITALIAN TARGETS

Abstract

Investment activity by Russian enterprises is a relatively recent phenomenon that is meeting with mounting interest among analysts and researchers, as has occurred for the other emerging economies. Brazil, Russia, India and China - the so-called "BRIC" nations - are affirming themselves at the international level for their ability to invest considerable resources in both developing countries and industrialized economies (Sauvant, 2005; 2008; Ramamurti R., Singh, 2009; Goldstein, 2009). For these nations, foreign direct investment (FDI)115 represents a fundamental means of achieving economic growth as well as political affirmation at the global level. FDI allows highly accelerated, and often unbalanced, growth processes to be adjusted at the national level. At the same time, individual enterprises, particularly through acquisitions, enjoy access to energy sources and commodities, advanced technologies, brands, skills, know-how and distribution channels to be used to expand and conquer new markets, including in the West (Sauvant, 2005; Spigarelli, 2009).