Thèse (de maîtrise)--Université Laval, 2006. / Bibliogr.: f. [95]-107. Publié aussi en version électronique dans la Collection Mémoires et thèses électroniques.

Zugleich: Diss. Bonn, 2008. / Literaturverz.

Det svenska politiska systemet har under de senaste decennierna skiftat från ett korporativistiskt system, där organisationer har bjudits in att delta i det politiska beslutsfattandet, till ett mer pluralistiskt system, där lobbying är en viktig komponent. Lagstiftningen har dock inte följt utvecklingen och idag har Sverige ingen direkt lagstiftning mot lobbying.   Denna studie undersöker huruvida de svenska politikerna och de som påverkar anser att lobbying fungerar demokratiskt i Sverige idag och huruvida en lagstiftning bör instiftas eller inte. En jämförelse görs mellan de två grupperna påverkare och påverkade, för att ta reda på vad dessa respondenter anser om lobbying i Sverige utifrån ett demokratiskt perspektiv.   För att svara på syftet används tre av Robert A. Dahls demokratikriterier. Detta för att nå en förståelse huruvida lobbying fungerar demokratiskt och om en lagstiftning skulle behövas utifrån de svar som ges av de tillfrågade. En jämförelse i lagstiftning görs även med USA, som har utarbetat ett regelverk angående lobbyism. Studiens resultat visar att det finns ett demokratiskt problem med lobbying i Sverige utifrån de tre demokratikriterierna. Transparensen är ett problem samt det faktum att politiker kan gå från en politisk roll direkt till en lobbyverksamhet. En lagstiftning kring karenstid för politiker begränsar detta problem, men övrig lagstiftning, likt den i USA, tros inte ha någon effekt. Istället tros normer, moral och tryck från medborgarna vara mer effektfullt.

abstract: Given that lobbying activity by audit firms constitutes a potential advocacy threat to auditor independence, this paper seeks to provide an economic rationale for audit firm lobbying behavior. Specifically, I examine whether federal lobbying activity by audit firms contributes to their ability to retain existing clients and attract new clients. Consequently, I predict and find that greater lobbying activity is associated with a lower probability of auditor switching behavior as well longer auditor tenure when the client is in an industry with high interest in lobbying. I also find that, when switching audit firms, clients tend to choose audit firms with greater lobbying activity and that companies in industries with high interest in lobbying are more likely to choose an audit firm with greater lobbying activity than their previous auditor. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Accountancy 2017

In the U.S. firms spend millions of dollars each year on climate lobbying. Climate lobbying is often seen as “dirty” firms lobbying against environmental regulations; however, my study reveals a subset of major climate lobbying contributors actually have positive environmental performance records. This paper analyzes the relationship between firm-level environmental performance indicators and climate lobbying expenditures. To explore this relationship, I combine a firm level climate lobbying expenditures dataset from the Center for Responsive Politics, financial measures from Compustat and CRSP, and environmental performance indicators from MSCI. My results indicate more climate lobbying among firms that derive substantial revenues from products and services with environmental benefits and those with proactive carbon emission reduction policies/technologies

1 Abstract This thesis 'Prevention and control of corrupt conduct in the Czech Republic' suggests its aim and issues directly from its title. The corruption is still actual phenomenon that has been regularly mentioned in the media in recent years and remains opened for further research and discussion. There is no doubt that the need for another analysis exists. Only effective and continuous effort to prevent and control corruption can lead to reduction of crime rate and another negative impacts caused by corruption. The impacts of corruption mean not only administering punishments to the persons taking part in corruption but it is also possible to register economic impacts. Moreover, the corruption has adverse effects on our civic society represented by inauspicious influence on public opinion regarding the trust of population in the public administration, state policy or fair, just, equitable and impartial judicial ruling and deciding of other national institutions. This thesis deals with corruption using mostly criminological point of view. However, it was also necessary to use criminal substantive and procedural law knowledge. The corruption is a phenomenon that influences all society to the core, despite the fact that the most of our society is convinced that corruption is prejudicial. It was also...

Magister Legum - LLM / Political lobbying is a recent and widespread phenomenon that arises in countries where many big and economically important companies are located. It is a relatively new phenomenon and the term 'lobbying' has featured in political science literature only since the 1990s.¹ Lobbying groups are ubiquitous and are located in the centres of competence where political decision-making takes place.² One can distinguish two main aims of lobbying: lobbying for a government contract (Beschaffungslobbyismus) and lobbying with regard to laws (Gesetzeslobbyismus).³ The focus of this paper is on the latter. It is concerned to analyse how lobbyists influence the lawmaking process and what the consequences are for society. Lobbying is the influence on decision makers and decision-making processes through the provision of information.⁴ Politicians need information to contribute to ministerial or 1 parliamentary discussions and for their decisions in elections and votes. They often do not have the capacity to collect enough information. That is when the lobbying groups become important. They provide the politicians with information needed and thus ensure that their point of view ends up in the draft law and later in the law.⁵ There is also lobbying in the private sector. Representatives of the pharmaceutical industry, for instance, try to influence doctors by giving them free specimens and computer programmes, paying for education workshops and other benefits with the aim that the doctors prescribe the products of the pharmaceutical companies.⁶ To analyse this aspect of lobbying as well would exceed the scope of this paper and will not be attempted. An interesting aspect is that lobbying has become more integrated and international. Lobbyists do not work exclusively in their countries of origin. In the EU it is as important to lobby decision makers in the European institutions as to lobby them in the national institutions because a significant part of politics is decided now in Brussels.⁷ Furthermore, lobbyists from different countries meet to harmonise their lobbying strategies. In Brussels, for example, American and German lobbyists meet regarding restrictive export rules into the US and the EU. The American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) is an American interest group that works in Brussels to ensure the effective representation of US businesses in Europe.⁸ Nevertheless, the national level remains important for lobbyists. The policy of the EU relies always on national policy and through the Council of Ministers - as the most powerful part of the EU - national interests are represented strongly in Brussels. Directives, moreover, have to be implemented on a national level. One can see that national lobbying is also an important tool to influence European policy.⁹ The scope of this paper, however, is to shed light on lobbying activities in the Federal Republic of Germany. Therefore, lobbying in the EU will play a lesser role.

Establishing a successful European corporate political strategy aims at achieving three major steps: assessing the benefits of such a strategy in terms of information and influence, designing a tailor-made scheme integrating the specifics of the company, and implementing it efficiently through a thorough comprehension of policy-making mechanisms. Though not doctrinal, this paper hints at providing insights about Brussels' competencies and procedures so as for companies to be able to decide upon their course of actions with respect to European matters. We show that firms of all sizes and natures can defend their interests before the EU's authorities, with an economy of resources which does not engage the potential returns of their initiatives. Lobbying in Brussels revolves heavily around expertise, and we assert that "strategic communication of specialised information" can bring useful insights to many a company regardless of overlooked prior concerns.

Memoria (licenciado en ciencias jurídicas y sociales)

Diplomová práce se zaměřuje na komunikační techniky společností a jejich strategie při komunikaci s institucemi EU. Na základě teoretických poznatků poskytuje shrnutí a doporučení pro nízkonákladový lobbying malých a středních podniků v České republice.