Reindustrialization and Industrial Development in the Discourses of Entrepreneurs

According to the institutional approach, trajectories of industrial development are mediated by the ability of the institutional environment to generate and implement technological innovations. Within the framework of contemporary Russian reindustrialization policy, a complex of formal institutions aimed at achieving technological sovereignty and import substitution has been formed. However, achieving a qualitative breakthrough in industrial modernization is associated with systemic difficulties and is of a complex, non-linear nature. The paper presents an analysis of the causes of this paradox through the lens of T. Veblen's dichotomy, which reveals the conflict between the instrumental values of technological progress and ceremonial attitudes that reproduce established practices. The hypothesis about the dominance of ceremonial patterns is verified through qualitative analysis of in-depth interviews with industrial actors, which allowed for the reconstruction of the system of latent value coordinates. Despite the declared focus on innovation, the real behavior of managers is determined by the inertia of hierarchical orders, bureaucratic routine, and an orientation toward short-term financial gain. The main obstacle to reindustrialization is informal institutions—entrenched ceremonial values that mediate the perception of reforms, trust in development institutions, and willingness to take risks. These attitudes materialize in institutional barriers: excessive administration of support measures, technological dependence on Asian analogues instead of creating own developments, and a shortage of qualified personnel. Overcoming these dysfunctions requires a shift in the emphasis of industrial policy from creating formal rules to transforming the value-normative foundations of key actors' behavior.