ON THE PROBLEM OF COUNTERACTION TO OPPORTUNISTIC BEHAVIOUR OF MARKET ACTORS IN MODERN RUSSIA

ABSTRACT

The problem of opportunistic behaviour of market actors in modern Russia is studied in the current article. The given term is regarded from theoretical and practical points of view. Specifically, the examples of opportunistic behaviour in the modern world and methods of counteraction to such human behaviour are indicated. In conclusion, the importance of rational perception, ethical standards and sustainable systems that help reduce opportunistic behavior is emphasized.

Keywords: opportunism, opportunistic behaviour, opportunist.

In today's world, opportunism can be seen everywhere—from the public sector to interpersonal relationships. It is not only a negative character trait of certain individuals but rather a systemic behavioral pattern that influences state processes, national development, and national unity. [1, p. 23] Opportunism generates numerous problems across various spheres of public life, making the counteraction to such behavior a relevant issue of modern time.  It is crucial to recognize that opportunism poses a threat to both individual and societal stability and progress. It is not limited to deceit alone; rather, it manifests in diverse forms—from breach of agreements to manipulation and coercion through leverage. In Russia, opportunism is often intertwined with corruption, double standards, and a lack of transparency in political and economic processes.  This article examines the concept of "opportunism" from an economic perspective, its manifestations in contemporary Russia, and the consequences of such processes. Additionally, we will try to propose the most effective countermeasures to combat opportunism in all its forms, for fostering a more resilient and fair system of social relations. [2, p. 47] In modern economics, "opportunism" is defined as self-interested behavior aimed at maximizing personal gain through dishonest dealings with counterparties. Essentially, a person prioritizes one's own interests above those of others. Opportunistic behavior is not only characteric to individuals; it can also be observed in groups, organizations, and other social entities. Contemporary research suggests that this behavioral model arises under the influence of several key factors: authority, breaching of established principles, legal and regulatory imperfections. Obviously, opportunism can also emerge spontaneously and take various forms.

Opportunistic behavior manifests in various forms, including distortion of facts, breach of contract, concealment of information, exploitation of unforeseen circumstances for personal gain, and similar actions. [3, p. 58]

The following types of opportunism can be distinguished:  professional, political, legal, spiritual and economic. While our primary focus will be on economic opportunism, we will examine each type separately.  Let's begin with professional opportunism. This type involves violating professional ethics and standards for personal benefit. Specialists may use misleading information, exaggerate their competencies, or create artificial problems to get personal benefits. An example is a doctor prescribing unnecessary medications or tests to generate additional income. [4, p. 88]

Political opportunism is characterized by the misuse of power for personal interests, disregarding political, moral, and social norms. Legal opportunism means violating laws, citizens` interests, using gaps in laws for prioritizing certain individuals' interests while creating unequal conditions for different social groups.

The next type of opportunism is spiritual. Spiritual opportunism involves using social or political authority to promote personal or organizational interests. For example, a representative of an organization might use patriotic slogans to advance their economic agenda.

Finally comes economic opportunism. This type involves breaching agreements and norms in the economic sphere for getting profit. Its common manifestations include contract violations, fraud and unfair competition. For instance, a businessman who does services of low quality and damps the prices for their goods in order to put the competitors out of the market. In modern Russia the frequency of opportunism can vary depending on the situation and the sphere in which it takes place.

Opportunistic behavior is most commonly observed in three key areas: political activity, the business and economic sphere, and social relations. Let us examine each of these domains in greater detail. Opportunism in politics involves leveraging power and circumstances for personal gain while ignoring ethical norms. Examples include shifting ideological positions for attracting new voters. This form of opportunistic behavior is particularly evident during election campaigns, when party representatives strategically focus on issues that resonate most strongly with the public majority, abandoning their primary ideological positions. Politicians may also opportunistically highlight trending topics to gain voter trust, typically manifested through promises of reforms or socially beneficial projects that lack concrete implementation plans or secured funding. Such tactics are employed primarily to boost the politician's popularity rather than to solve the current problem. [5, p. 125]

In economic systems, opportunistic behavior manifests in multiple forms, ranging from actions by individual entrepreneurs and private organizations to conduct within government institutions.  There opportunism may manifest in corruption. Corporations may engage in bribery and fraudulent schemes to secure lucrative contracts or obtain preferential government support. Another common manifestation is consumer deception, where companies employ fraudulent marketing strategies by promoting goods and services that fail to meet the manufacturer's advertised specifications. For example, following "healthy lifestyle" trends a manufacturer may market its product as environmentally friendly or organic, while in reality it contains harmful substances in its composition. Simultaneously, companies may opportunistically modify their business strategies or operational models, while also engaging in unauthorized use of patented technologies and intellectual property to gain quick profits and enhance market adaptability. Economic actors may also engage in illegal price manipulation schemes - such as artificially inflating prices to create false scarcity or practicing damping pricing to undercut competitors, potentially triggering market crises for other producers. Such opportunistic behaviour produces a negative impact on markets by distorting fair competition and eroding trust among economic actors. In social relations, the main characteristics of opportunistic behavior involve instrumentalizing individuals as means to personal ends, while the lack of sincerity often manifests through hypocrisy and deceit. For instance, an employee might deliberately tarnish a colleague's reputation or fraudulently claim credit for another's ideas to advance their career and serve personal interests. [6, p. 185] A particularly prevalent form of this behavior emerges in digital spaces—particularly social media—where individuals cultivate fabricated personas by exaggerating accomplishments or appropriating others' work. Such deceptive self-presentation aims to attract audience attention and boost sales of their products which are believed to be beneficial. This opportunistic conduct erodes trust between social actors, potentially leading to conflicts. The consequences of such behavior can vary significantly depending on specific circumstances and contextual factors. From an ethical standpoint, such behavior is widely condemned by society. It undermines trust and fosters social disintegration. Opportunists risk losing social respect and reputation, and in the long run can face problems in both their personal and professional lives. When moral norms fail to deter such conduct, opportunistic behavior may result in both administrative and criminal liability. Violations of the law under the pretext of "profit" incur fines, imprisonment, and other punitive measures imposed by the state, which serves as the guardian of public interests and the rule of law. In contemporary Russia, opportunism has evolved into a systemic issue demanding urgent resolution. Both general and targeted approaches exist to counter opportunistic behavior - the latter being specifically designed to address particular types of opportunism. Below we outline what we consider to be the most effective measures for mitigating such conduct. First, strengthening the legal framework and law enforcement. Legislation must be clear and stringent, applying equally to all members of society without exception. An effective law enforcement system should monitor and suppress violations of the law, impose appropriate sanctions on offenders, and protect the rights of victims. The next critical measure: maintaining an independent judiciary. Only a truly autonomous court system can deliver impartial rulings, effectively penalizing opportunistic conduct. Another effective approach: implementing comprehensive, informative contracts and guarantees. These legal instruments establish clear expectations and enforceable consequences for violations, creating a strong deterrent against opportunistic behavior. [7, p. 113]

Opportunism exerts a profoundly negative impact across multiple spheres of social life. To combat such behavior, we propose the following recommendations: enhance public education on moral and ethical standards, instill moral values and respect for others in children from an early age, support initiatives that protect civil rights and combat corruption, increase transparency in government institutions and business operations, develop corporate culture by implementing strong organizational values. These measures will collectively help to reduce opportunistic behavior in society and strengthen social resilience, improve living standards, and rebuild trust between citizens and the state.

References:

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