European level business collective action: the study agenda ahead

Research into European level interest representation has mushroomed in recent
years. Much of this effort has been directed at case studies of business sectors
(Gardner, 1991; Greenwood et al., 1992; van Schendelen, 1993; Mazey and
Richardson, 1993; Pedler and van Schendelen, 1994; Greenwood, 1995), identifying patterns of private interest involvement in sectoral governance and
collective action. This case-study based research has provided the foundations
for development to further, more theoretical, stages in the research process. In
particular there is now a good empirical basis for theoretical development in
sectoral governance involving private interests, and the dynamics of collective
action at the European level.