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Business Associations and Public Policy: a Comparison of Organisational Development in Britain and Canada*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 November 2008

William Coleman  and
Wyn Grant
William Coleman
Affiliation:
McMaster University
Wyn Grant
Affiliation:
Department of PoliticsUniversity of Warwick
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Abstract

The levels of organisational development of business interest associations in two industrial sectors – chemicals and food processing – in Canada and the United Kingdom are compared, with special reference to the capacity of the associations to undertake public policy functions and to engage in long-term strategic thinking about the problems facing their industries. There is a higher level of organisational development in British business interest associations than in their Canadian counterparts, especially in the chemicals sector. The British associations are better able to assume responsibility for public policy implementation as private governments. A number of explanations are reviewed, particular emphasis being placed on different company structures, the disintegrating effect of high levels of foreign ownership in Canada, bureaucratic competition in Canada, association involvement in collective bargaining, and the impact of European Community membership on the British associations.

Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Public Policy , Volume 4 , Issue 3 , August 1984 , pp. 209 - 235
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1984

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References

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