Formal and informal institutions and their hierarchy in the regulation of the forest lease in Russia

Abstract

The aim of this study is to identify and analyse the institutional arrangements that regulate the forest lease and related markets of industrial timber in Russia. A theoretical framework is derived from institutional economics. Institutions, their hierarchy and cohesion are surveyed at constitutional, collective-choice and operational levels. The organization of the long-term forest lease and its contribution to the sustainable forest management and development of forest industries are described and regional differences in the organization of forestry are tested. In addition, the expected impacts of the new federal Forest Code are analysed. © Institute of Chartered Foresters, 2007. All rights reserved.