The impact of the regulatory life cycle on corporate political strategy

Corporate political strategy can be approached systematically by using the regulatory life cycle method. This method recognizes that the possibilities of influencing the enactment or enforcement of laws and regulations change with time, and each cycle has uniquely appropriate strategies for effecting change. Corporations wanting to accelerate regulatory change should be aware of four factors affecting their chances to effect such changes; these are: demonstrating collective good properties of the desired change, issue plasticity, uncertainty and risk, and strategic focus. A study of environmental regulations in Germany further supports the regulatory life cycle approach to corporate political strategy as a way to focus on legislative action during certain laws' lives with well-developed strategies for change.