Existing interest group theory describes legislative decision-making as a communication process whereby interest groups research information on issues, combine this information with constituent opinions, and present the resulting information to legislators. Legislators then use this information in developing legislation. The original source of information used by lobbyists greatly impacts the interest group’s ability to effectively represent its policy objectives in the decision-making process. The purpose of this study was to identify and evaluate sources of information utilized by selected California agricultural interest groups. This study determined common sources used among selected California agricultural interest groups, how and why groups choose their sources, the role of trust in information source selection, and what purposes interest groups have for using the information. Data from this study suggest lobbyists of California agricultural interest groups are primarily researching for lobbying purposes. Lobbyists acknowledged the importance of research in their lobbying work. Specifically, two main themes developed from the interviewees’ responses: 1) lobbyists gather the political and technical information needed to thoroughly understand an issue before lobbying on it, and 2) lobbyists find the appropriate information to support their organization’s policy objectives. The purpose of their research and the type of information needed drive how lobbyists research an issue and what information sources they utilize. Lobbyists rely on their previous experiences to determine which sources will provide them with the necessary information. Data from this study suggest four main factors that impact which information sources lobbyists choose to utilize: 1) what information is needed, 2) who their contacts and personal relationships are with, 3) how much they trust potential sources, and 4) other characteristics of the sources such as accessibility, quality and accuracy, brevity and readability, experience of source, current information, scientifically-based, sincere, and/or a source that provides needed pictures or graphics.

The thesis presents research on participation of interest groups in the Canadian trade policy making process that has relatively recently been extended to include non-business interest groups who now participate in the process that was previously limited to government officials and business groups representatives. The research examines how both business and non-business groups perceive their participation in this process. To achieve this aim, interviews with two representatives of business groups and two representatives of non-business groups were conducted. The resulting data include information about groups motives for engagement in the Canadian trade policy making process, the perceived effects Canadian institutions have on interest groups participation in the process, and whether, and if so how, the extension of the process to include non-business groups has changed the lobbying strategies of business groups. The research results allow the author to test contradictory propositions about interest groups participation in the process found in literature and to arrive at a more accurate model of groups involvement in the Canadian trade policy making process.

The thesis presents research on participation of interest groups in the Canadian trade policy making process that has relatively recently been extended to include non-business interest groups who now participate in the process that was previously limited to government officials and business groups representatives. The research examines how both business and non-business groups perceive their participation in this process. To achieve this aim, interviews with two representatives of business groups and two representatives of non-business groups were conducted. The resulting data include information about groups motives for engagement in the Canadian trade policy making process, the perceived effects Canadian institutions have on interest groups participation in the process, and whether, and if so how, the extension of the process to include non-business groups has changed the lobbying strategies of business groups. The research results allow the author to test contradictory propositions about interest groups participation in the process found in literature and to arrive at a more accurate model of groups involvement in the Canadian trade policy making process.

No description available.

Policy-minded legislatures have a number of tools to implement policy at their disposal. On the one hand, they can write specific legislation and ensure that their policy wishes are accurately carried out. On the other hand, legislatures can delegate this authority to administrative agencies, and, with broad authority, allow them to formulate policy in a manner consistent with the preferences of the agency. This "delegation game" has received significant scholarly attention, and scholars have noted that the political context within which legislatures make this decision affects whether or not delegation will occur. Scholars have also examined the role that interest groups play in this game, yet studies at the interest group level are few in number. Interest groups are strategic actors that formulate strategies of lobbying in a manner that maximizes their potential influence per their resources. As such, interest groups should formulate lobbying strategies that take into consideration the delegation game that legislatures play when formulating policy. In this paper, I develop a game-theoretic model of legislative delegation and examine interest group lobbying strategies within that context. The equilibria from the game that I present: (1) Confirm previous studies of legislative delegation that argue legislatures delegate in a strategic manner given differing political conditions and (2) Suggests that indeed interest groups are strategic actors who develop lobbying strategies based on the expected actions of the legislature.

Existing interest group theory describes legislative decision-making as a communication process whereby interest groups research information on issues, combine this information with constituent opinions, and present the resulting information to legislators. Legislators then use this information in developing legislation. The original source of information used by lobbyists greatly impacts the interest group’s ability to effectively represent its policy objectives in the decision-making process. The purpose of this study was to identify and evaluate sources of information utilized by selected California agricultural interest groups. This study determined common sources used among selected California agricultural interest groups, how and why groups choose their sources, the role of trust in information source selection, and what purposes interest groups have for using the information. Data from this study suggest lobbyists of California agricultural interest groups are primarily researching for lobbying purposes. Lobbyists acknowledged the importance of research in their lobbying work. Specifically, two main themes developed from the interviewees’ responses: 1) lobbyists gather the political and technical information needed to thoroughly understand an issue before lobbying on it, and 2) lobbyists find the appropriate information to support their organization’s policy objectives. The purpose of their research and the type of information needed drive how lobbyists research an issue and what information sources they utilize. Lobbyists rely on their previous experiences to determine which sources will provide them with the necessary information. Data from this study suggest four main factors that impact which information sources lobbyists choose to utilize: 1) what information is needed, 2) who their contacts and personal relationships are with, 3) how much they trust potential sources, and 4) other characteristics of the sources such as accessibility, quality and accuracy, brevity and readability, experience of source, current information, scientifically-based, sincere, and/or a source that provides needed pictures or graphics.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Chicago, Dept. of Mathematics, June 2001. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (M.S.)--Youngstown State University, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (leaf 37). Also available via the World Wide Web in PDF format.

Thesis (M.A.)--Ohio State University. / Bibliography: leaves 88-89. Available online via OhioLINK's ETD Center.

Thesis (doctoral)--Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität zu Berlin, 1931. / Vita. "Sonderabdruck aus der "Mathematischen zeitschrift", Band 33, Heft 5"--T.p. verso. Includes bibliographical references.