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Educated Czechs fared poorly during the communist regime (1948-89) but have done relatively well since the Velvet Revolution. This phase change is consistent with transition theory and suggests that educated Czechs may be more supportive of the postcommunist reforms as a consequence. To test this hypothesis, the authors examined 11 national surveys (1990-98) of Czech respondents to determine if economic standing and other controls explained the relation between education and attitudes about the country's reforms. They also tested whether the effects of education interacted with phases of the reforms. The results showed that better-educated respondents enjoyed an economic advantage, supportive of transition theory. However, this advantage and other controls did not explain the significant effects of education on attitudes about the Czech reforms. These patterns were stable during the survey period with one exception, as indicated by education * time interaction terms. These findings suggest that values associated with education may play a role in attitudes about postcommunist reforms independent of economic standing, expanding the view that economic experiences during postcommunist reforms differentiate attitudes about them.

Using the example of East Germany, patterns of elite characteristics unique to communist regimes which fostered their success and, paradoxically, also their failure are discussed. The same factors which provided for stability also undermined initiative and critical evaluation.

The mass public in the Soviet Union is not enthusiastic about free-market reform. How, then, do citizens in a former communist regime develop an appreciation for free-market reforms? Different explanations [...]

The post-communist business environment in Central and Eastern Europe is experiencing certain obstacles to organizational change. Internal barriers were pinpointed as the greatest obstacle to change, particularly unfavorable employee attitudes and incompetency. External barriers were mostly legal, such as ownership and relationships with outside agents. Individuals who plan to do business in the region should be aware of these conditions and should strive to reform communist-influenced managerial practices.