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The article analyzes trends regarding big businesses in 2000s in Russia. It focuses on two fundamental institutional changes, replacement of main business entity and main ownership model. Topics discussed are the economic crises in Russia in 1998-1999, integrated business groups in Russia and economic growth and expansion in big business entities.

The article discusses the role of small and large businesses in economic growth. Analysis of the economic development role of small businesses showed that it is not the major source of job creation in terms of high-paying and stable jobs. According to the article, there is also no clear evidence that small businesses are more effective innovators than large firms. An economic development strategy's success is likely if it concentrates on the growth of existing local businesses, the author says.

In this editorial to a collection of papers on ethics in small firms, the case is made for greater use of high quality empirical research on business ethics. Sociological perspectives have much to offer to the field of business ethics that continues to be dominated by normative, moral philosophy. The second contribution of the paper is to argue for a reorientation away from the large multi-national firm as a benchmark subject of business ethics research. One important point of view to be included is that of the small firm, which remains the dominant organisation form throughout all the OECD countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]