In this study, we seek to understand how interest groups change and adapt their policy positions in the face of changing information, meanwhile managing reputational losses suffered as a consequence of shifting positions.
Abstract:
Using data gathered from 31 elite interviews with representatives from environmental, transport, and energy groups in the European Union, we are able to identify tactics interest organizations employ to minimize the reputational costs to shifting policy positions. Interest groups representing these three areas face the challenge of formulating policy in the context of scientific uncertainty, and often must either abandon, backtrack, or re-frame original positions to satisfy both member bases and lobbying coalitions. We find that groups employ not only their organizational strengths within coalitions but also rely on emphasizing their broader goals to their members to reinforce their efforts in an attempt to minimize the reputational losses suffered as a consequence to policy missteps.
