"Business alliances, network construction and agenda definition: Recent development in lobbying activities in Brussels and Strasbourg"

Philip, Alan Butt. and Porter, Martin. (1997) "Business alliances, network construction and agenda definition: Recent development in lobbying activities in Brussels and Strasbourg". In: UNSPECIFIED. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

With the political role of the firm as a focus, the paper begins by analysing briefly recent developments in the numbers and types of all organisations seeking to influence, directly or indirectly, the decisions of the EU institutions. Their numbers continue to increase, as do the diversity for their types and spheres of activity, with all the implications that has for theorists of European integration. The authors argue that the notion of an "influence organisation"; should replace more conventional definitions of "pressure group"; which have become difficult to sustain. This paper analyses new evidence on how large firms in particular are seeking to influence the EU. Individual firms are becoming more active in a variety of EU lobbying media. As well as having dedicated government affairs offices in Brussels and employing consultants to press their interests, many are members of relatively new EU-level direct-membership Euro-groups and various ad hoc alliances. Their channels of access are further broadened by representation in national associations and via these, more ‘traditional’ Euro-groups. The multiple opportunity structures they have created mean that on occasions they may be co-operating with market competitors on one issue while simultaneously seeking competitive advantages over them in other fora.

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