Human Issues Affect the Dynamics of Change in the East European Agrifood Sector

While considerable advances have been made in food supply in many Central and East European countries,many mistakes have also been made – mistakes of the human kind. These errors highlight important factors in the process of change which have been overlooked by many in the rush to convert from command to free economies. Countries have been developing at different rates. Draws out these differences and attempts to explain the reasons for them. Concludes that scale and so‐called“mental” or psychological difficulties have been largely responsible. Should the West continue to advocate speedy transition from command to free market economy through total destruction of the old system? Or should the process be more evolutionary? Emphasizes that consultants and private companies seeking investment opportunities in Eastern Europe need to understand the human element of the change equation and accept there will be no instant reversal of culture. It may take a long time before the ideal of a free market economy is fully operational in all these countries.