Francis, David C.2025-03-032025-03-032025-03-03https://hdl.handle.net/10986/42896This Brief studies patterns of political engagement among private firms in the European Union (EU). Using representative data, allowing for analysis at the level of NUTS2 regional groupings (EU regions varying from about 800,000 to 3 million inhabitants), various patterns of engagement emerge. In particular, business association membership is widespread, and its variation seems to be largely explained by cross-country patterns. Such differences may be due to differing legal regimes that do or do not mandate membership in business organizations; generally, firms tend to value the services provided by such organizations less when membership is mandatory. Firms may also turn to other forms of political engagement, such as the maintenance of political connections. Overall, patterns of political engagement seeking influence vary widely, including within countries, often along identifiable institutional lines. An estimated Political Influence score is used to measure this activity. Though this score varies, analysis suggests that firms with higher scores show higher measures of firm performance, especially relative to their peer/competitor firms. There is evidence of political competition, where higher influence begets similar activity among peer firms.en-USCC BY-NC 3.0 IGOPOLITICAL ENGAGEMENTCOLLECTIVE ACTIONDATA AND ANALYSISBUSINESS MEMBERSHIPPOLITICAL INFLUENCEPOLITICAL COMPETITIONBriefWorld Bank10.1596/42896