Sozialkapital als Basis für das Lobbying von KMU

Besides adapting to the environment the enterprise can try to influence the environment, thus enhancing the compatibility of the environment with the strength-weakness profile of the company. This paper explores the question how SMEs are able to influence their regulatory environment through lobbying activities. Firstly, lobbying activities are discussed from the view of the resource-dependence approach and specific forms of lobbying are shown. Secondly, theses concerning the necessary factors for effective lobbying activities are derived. Besides financial means social capital is hypothesized as a major factor enabling a company to engage in lobbying. Thirdly, it is shown that the lobbying capabilities of SMEs – especially on a local or a regional level – are based on their social capital. Thus, social capital can compensate for the restricted financial leeway of SMEs. Read More: http://ejournals.duncker-humblot.de/doi/abs/10.3790/zfke.58.2.141