This Working paper studied informal networks and the informal economy in the Balkan region. Special emphasis was placed on Bulgaria and Croatia for the case studies on the role of informal networks in influencing the privatisation process. Bulgaria was also the principal case-study for the survey on factors that function as incentives for firms to operate ‘in the shadows.’ This empirical data provided concrete information on the factors and conditions that lead domestic and international firms to conduct parts of their activities in an informal manner. In addition, research conducted within the WP estimated the size of illegal trade in the region.

Final Papers

The final papers of WP3 that were presented at our Final Conference in Brussels on 18 November 2004 can be downloaded below.

  • Conceptual: Bojicic-Dzelilovic V., “Informal Sector in the Balkans.”
  • Informality & Privatisation: Bulgaria Bojkov V. & Bojicic-Dzelilovic V., “Informality in Post-Communist Transition: Determinants and Consequences of the Privatisation Process in Bulgaria.”
  • Informality & Privatisation: Croatia Barrett E., “The Role of Informal Networks in the Privatisation Process in Croatia.”
  • Survey Stanchev K. (ed), “Report: Study of Incentives, Characteristics and Strategies of Firms Operating ‘in the Shadows’.”
  • Illegal Trade in SEE: Gligorov V. & Holzner M., “Illegal Trade in SEE.”

Researchers

Barrett Liz
LSE

Bogdanov Latchezar
IME

Bojicic-Dzelilovic Vesna
LSE
Lead WP 3

Dimitrov Martin
IME

Gropas Ruby
ELIAMEP

Stanchev Krassen
IME

Stoev Georgi
IME

Tsoukalis Loukas
ELIAMEP

Yonkova-Hristova Assenka
IME