The Complexity of Adaptation: Conclusions

Abstract

This book is a comparative study of sectoral systems of business associations and their adaptation to changes in their political, economic, and technological environments. The previous chapters presented a systematic description and analysis of the activities and structures of national business associations. The contributors to this volume have offered a realistic description of associational networks that consists of multiple, sometimes contradictory relationships, and of associational activities that not only involve lobbying but also the provision of services. The country chapters have also revealed major changes and adaptation processes that have taken place during the last 20 years. We relate these changes in associational activities and structures to transformations in sectoral governance as well as in market structure. According to our theoretical framework, the country chapters are basically organized in two sections, covering, on the one hand, the inter-organizational relations within the associational system and, on the other, the organizational properties of business associations.