Framework for the analysis of corporate political strategies pertinent to regulation: A relational perspective

Abstract

As energy sector firms belong to a regulated industry, their management faces significant challenges. In this kind of business environment it is very important to develop political strategies. Defining political strategy as the set of actions that firms plan and undertake in order to maximize economic returns from the political environment (Bonardi & Keim, 2005; Oliver & Holzinger, 2000; Schuler, 1996), and focusing specifically on actions whose aim is to influence the regulatory environment, the purpose of the broader research at issue in this article is to contribute to studies of the strategic management of firms that engage in alliances and networks in regulated industries. Its objective is to develop and apply an analytical framework with a relational perspective, involving a methodology, constructs and model, in the context of a multiple case study, whose results can be used to support the strategic management of firms with the characteristics cited. The aim of this article is to propose a preliminary framework based on a thorough bibliographical review, participant observation in a leading Brazilian electricity distributor, and validating interviews with experts and executives from the sector