Norilsk Nickel: the longest corporate war in a leading Russian company
Publication date: 20 June 2019
Issue publication date: 8 July 2019
Abstract
Theoretical basis
In any company, there are conflicts of interest and different opinions on the business strategy. However, a well-established system of corporate governance allows us to minimise those conflicts and enables most disagreements to be solved in a civilised way. The case provides an opportunity to examine the specifics of corporate conflicts in Russia and improves decision-making skills with a view to increase business efficiency.
Research methodology
This descriptive case was written using the secondary sources from the Russian and foreign media, as well as other publicly available information about Norilsk Nickel. No information was disguised in any way.
Case overview/synopsis
This case study is a story of a dramatic corporate conflict at the Russian company Norilsk Nickel, one of the world’s leading producers of precious metals. In 2008–2012, the company went through a painful conflict between the majority shareholders (oligarchs Mr Potanin and Mr Deripaska) for the control over the business. The case of Norilsk Nickel was indeed a crucial case for Russia which helped define the “rules of the game”. In 2019, however, the situation looked prone to the escalation of the old conflict. The fact that from 2018 both oligarchs were under the US sanctions added further tensions.
Complexity academic level
This case is most appropriate for courses in corporate governance, business ethics and doing business in Russia at the undergraduate or graduate level. There is a sufficient number of extenuating circumstances to make for a good discussion of strategic and tactical factors in this type of a corporate governance decision analysis. The complexity of the case is a perfect illustration of the Russian business environment: it is never easy in the Russian business environment to figure out what is important and what is not.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Disclaimer. This case is written solely for educational purposes and is not intended to represent successful or unsuccessful managerial decision making. The authors may have disguised names; financial, and other recognizable information to protect confidentiality.
Citation
Kandinskaia, O., Dementieva, A. and Khotyasheva, O. (2019), "Norilsk Nickel: the longest corporate war in a leading Russian company", , Vol. 15 No. 3, pp. 199-226. https://doi.org/10.1108/TCJ-08-2018-0098
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2019, Emerald Publishing Limited