How to Become an European Actor? The Case of Polish Business Interest Associations

The European Union law as well as policies have significant influence on the national public policies. It has prompted domestic interest groups including business associations to promote and represent their interest before EU institutions. This article examines how Polish business interests associations (BIAs) have adjusted their strategies of interest representation to the European multi-level governance system. On the basis of a survey among 56 Polish BIAs it is argued that they have had to adapt their pattern of interest representation strategies to the EU context and the new more competitive international environment. The main questions in this analysis regard Polish business organizations capacities to maintain relations with EU institutions, build alliances and coalitions with other national and European associations, use appropriate methods and instruments of lobbying, possess and provide special kind of desired resources and exchange goods. Additionally it will be investigated whether and in what extend Polish BIAs differentiate their strategies towards the national level and the European level. It is assumed that they apply different patterns of interest representations according to the EU or national context