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Sectoral entry-barriers for entrepreneurial activities – a Russian start-up between challenging global markets and local conservative path dependencies

Thomas Thurner (Institute of Statistical Studies and Economics of Knowledge, National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russia)
Liliana Proskuryakova (National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russia)

Foresight

ISSN: 1463-6689

Article publication date: 14 November 2016

408

Abstract

Purpose

Sectoral foresight activities often identify technological opportunities but leave the question open who will pursue them. Entrepreneurial activities have become increasingly important for the introduction and commercialization of new technological solutions. The same is true for Russia’s oil and gas industry, which requires a major technological upscaling to stay competitive. Promising start-ups, however, often face high barriers and fail to commercialize superior technological solutions. The purpose of this study is to show how industry-specific entry barriers can hamper start-up activities.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper discusses the experiences of a Russian oilfield service start-up in commercializing a self-developed technology for increasing the productivity of oil wells.

Findings

The start-up faced conservatism from corporate decision-makers, declining oil prices and suboptimal protection of intellectual property rights. The company overcame most barriers through moving into other markets outside of Russia, as closing a deal with customers in the USA and Canada went much faster than the extended business cycles of national oil companies.

Originality/value

This paper connects sectoral foresight activities to the real-life experience of a start-up. The findings suggest that entry barriers need to be addressed by the planning process to really pave the way for a greater impact of entrepreneurial activity.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The article was prepared within the framework of the Basic Research Program at the National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE) and supported within the framework of a subsidy by the Russian Academic Excellence Project ‘5-100’.

Citation

Thurner, T. and Proskuryakova, L. (2016), "Sectoral entry-barriers for entrepreneurial activities – a Russian start-up between challenging global markets and local conservative path dependencies", Foresight, Vol. 18 No. 6, pp. 649-659. https://doi.org/10.1108/FS-03-2016-0013

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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