Such are results of the poll carried out by the VTSIOM (National Public Opinion Study Centre) and presented on Wednesday at the round table Image of Russian Business: Social Responsibility or PR? The centre held the poll in September 2004 by representation sampling, covering 1,541 people in 100 populated places in 39 regions of Russia.

VTSIOM general director Valeri Fedorov said that, asked direct

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ly whether or not Russian business is socially responsible, only 30 percent of the polled said Yes and more than half (54 percent) said No.

Most often the Russians called Russian business parasitic, comprador and irresponsible (42 percent). Only 5 percent are of the opposite opinion, believing that socially responsible business comes across more often, 2 percent are convinced that all Russian business is socially responsible.

Simultaneously, the idea of staging demonstration trials against certain companies and businessmen is unpopular: 6 percent of the polled are in favour. Another 6 percent believe that an opposite approach - freeing business from the states too close scrutiny - would also be futile.

Conferees noted the Russians rational approach to what business can be viewed as socially responsible.

According to this poll, the Russians think so in case business fulfils its obligations before employees and the state (34 percent), makes quality products (27 percent), fulfils business obligations before its clients and partners (25 percent), creates new jobs (23 percent), funds social programmes for employees (20 percent). Social responsibility not so much involves, in the Russians view, having nothing to do with corruption (8 percent), abidance by law (7 percent) and charity (7 percent).

"Results of the poll show the peoples rational approach to Russian business. Thus, we have a favourable base for improving the image of business", believes Alexander Shokhin, chairman of the coordinating council of the Russian Entrepreneurial Union.

MOSCOW, December 1 (RIA Novosti)