Original scientific paper

Formation of the Enterpreneurial Elite in Croatia

Duško Sekulić ; The Flinders University of South Australia
Željka Šporer ; University of South Australia

Abstract

Three theoretical models are checked about the formation of the entrepreneurial elite in post-communist Croatia. The theory of the "bourgeois nomenclature" argues that the political and managerial capital of the old socialist elite was used and turned into economic capital. Theory of Szeleny points to the "family cultural capital" which gets activated when the legal restrictions and political pressures stop existing and former entrepreneurs continue the direction turned by communism. The theory of "useful resources" stresses that all the resources acquired in communism, like education, contacts, understanding of the market, and the nomenclature position, enable entrance into private sector.
Analysis of research conducted in 1989. and 1996. shows that these theories are not mutually exclusive, but explain different process by which entrepreneurship is formed. The new capitalist class is formed: (1) from former entrepreneurs who now have no limitations for expansion and growth, (2) from former political and managerial elite which converts the political and cultural capital into private ownership, and from (3) various other groups which covert resources (knowledge, connections) acquired in the former system into thepresent position in the private-ownership system.

Keywords

economic elites; entrepreneurship; postcommunism; privatization; transition

Hrčak ID:

154317

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/154317

Publication date:

30.6.2000.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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