Training practices. What and how to train Russian employees becomes a challenge.
Moscow McDonald’s uses the same approach to HRD in Russia as world wide (Vikhanski &
Puffer, 1993). The main strategy was hiring teenagers not for economic reasons but due to their
openness and lack of prior experience which brings along different habits of work. However,
Varner & Varner (1994) suggest a different perspective on training in Russia arguing that
“successful training builds on the knowledge base and experiences of the participants” (p. 362).
Therefore, training and HRM should take into account the political environment, the existence of
the old power elite, people’s new awareness of the past due to the political changes, and cultural
values, beliefs, and behaviors. Ignoring these issues brings misunderstandings and low
effectiveness. Similarly, Thach (1996) calls the use of Western concepts for training Russians a
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mistake since “Western concepts as participative management, empowerment, reengineering,
and teamwork do not translate immediately” in Russia