2024/06/21 by Maximilian Schiffers, Sandra Plümer · 1 voice
Business, Management and Accounting · Economics, Econometrics and Finance · #Merger and Competition Analysis #Political Influence and Corporate Strategies #Regulation and Compliance Studies
paper · pdf · doi:10.1057/s41309-024-00214-w
openalex publication_date 2024/06/21 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/23
Abstract This paper explains the adoption and reform of the German lobbying register law in 2021 and 2023 as a major policy change in German lobbying regulation. Using the Multiple Streams Framework and Punctuated Equilibrium Theory as theoretical lenses, we conduct a congruence analysis of 87 policy documents in a time period from 2017 to 2023. Empirical results show that the lobbying register law represents a quick solution to a different problem (a conflict of interest scandal) and explain the time it took the reform to re-emerge on the policy agenda due to shifted legislative priorities. In line with previous studies on lobbying regulation, we find that scandals need to be combined with other explanatory factors in order to elucidate the introduction and strengthening of transparency measures. These factors are on the micro-level and focus on how political action is channeled by key actors that make use of these scandals to increase pressure to act and generate further attention. With regard to our theoretical lenses, our analysis illustrates that both theories are needed to fully investigate the policy processes.