Аннотация:Deviant behavior is usually associated with negativity, since deviation from the norms of behavior accepted in a given society leads to the destruction of the institutional system. But there are cases when deviant behavior plays a positive role, indicating the reluctance of economic agents to followestablished norms of behavior and, hence, speaking about the need for relevantinstitutional reforms.The purpose of the study is to find out the reasons for a positive attitude towardsdeviant behavior. The object of the study is deviant behavior of economic agents.The subject of the study is the signaling role of deviant behavior in institutionaltransformations. The paper presents an interpretation of deviant behavior as a source ofsignaling function about the need for institutional reforms.