engleski

Successful rural entrepreneurs in the transition to capitalism: Hungary, Croatia and Bulgaria.

Comparative analysis is based on four case studies made in a framework of Dioscuri Research Project. One case study have in focus small milk producers in Bulgaria and, three case studies are focused at small and medium grape and wine producers from one chosen wine district in Bulgaria, Croatia and Hungary. Fieldwork research is done in 2005. Cultural transfers can help to narrow a gap between advanced agricultural sector of the West and less developed sector of the former socialistic countries. Wine sector was less attractive for foreign investors and wine producers where left alone to ‘ self-Westernize’ themselves. Analysis suggests importance of social and cultural capital of new rural entrepreneurs, which enabled them for successful cultural transfers and creative application of the Western experience in post-socialistic context. The most important outcome of cultural encounters in the agricultural sector is a realization of the importance of prioritizing quality over quantity. In Bulgaria that process is marked with conflicts, but in Croatia and Hungary in a branch of wine production it gives very good results. Bad reputation of the wine from former socialistic countries increasingly becomes a matter of the past, especially in the case of Hungary and Croatia. In these two countries with excellent potential for wine production but relatively small total production output orientation to the production of high quality wines should be encouraged.

comparative study; cultural transfers; process of ‘ self-Westernization’

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