Governing Interests: Business Associations Facing Internationalism

Summary

In the current period of globalization, Governing Interests presents new research on the impact of internationalization on the organization and representation of business interests through trade and employer associations. By exploring ongoing, gradual, but nevertheless profound changes in the structures and functions of business interest associations, the book develops a precise understanding of the relationship between the national and the international.

Both conceptual and empirical, some papers included in this significant volume adopt a ‘bird's eye view’ of the topic, whilst others concentrate on individual industries or countries, and several, through examination and analysis, consider the effects on interest representation and the repercussions on effective governance.

Contributed to and edited by leading academics, the diversity of research questions and methods used in this volume provide the reader with an excellent understanding of the subject and, importantly, caution against rash simplifications. Comprehensive and scholarly, this text will be of particular relevance to political scientists and sociologists.

Table of Contents

Part 1: Introduction Part 2: Nations  1. Reaching Out and Fitting In  2. Institutional Filters and Path Dependency  3. Globalization and Swedish Business Interest Associations in the Twenty-First Century  4. Economic Internationalization and the Organizational Dilemma of Employer Associations  Part 3: Sectors  5. Organizations and Networks in a Globalizing Economy: British and German Chemical Interest Associations  6. Against all Odds  7. National Business Associations and European Integration  Part 4: International Systems  8. Global Public Policy, Associative Orders and Business Interest Associations  9. International Governance by Organized Business   Part 5: Conclusions Organized Business Facing Internationalization