Local business alliances and regional empowerment in EU policy networks

Abstract

This paper examines the way in which sovereignty is transferred to the sub‐national level as a result of European integration. More specifically, it poses the question of whether communication links between regional authorities and private companies could increase the power of regions in multi‐level governance. Finns’ interest in forming alliances with regional authorities is explored through an examination of their preferences for using regionally provided, public advisory services, which is also taken as an indicator of alliance potential. For their part, it argued that regional authorities are motivated by institutional identities and roles in national politics and in the EU. This prompts the question of whether there are European institutions emerging which would give regions who offer public counseling to firms added leverage and thus added autonomy in the EU policy process. Identities and role perceptions (drivers of regional empowerment and business links) are investigated by studies of ‘projects’ designed to achieve strategic regional goals. Empirical evidence derives from the Southern Baltic area.