The Fall and Rise of Strategic Lobbying: Ten Myths About the Government Relations Activity

Abstract

This article presents a constructive discussion aiming to clarify many common senses – and usually misused – concepts and thoughts regarding the lobbying activity through active research, direct participation and observation from the author, an academic and senior executive in this area for more than 30 years. Specifically, the article aims to throw more light on this activity when related to the private-public sectors' relationship with a strategic intent – the Government Relations' field of study. For a long time seen with prejudice by many, during the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic lobby grew exponentially in importance and became a key success factor for organizations, as the number of issues and stakeholders – as well as all kinds of information and the need to influence Governments in turbulent times – multiplied. The work fosters reflections and brings recommendations that may be considered useful by scholars and practitioners when dealing with moments of unstable scenarios, helping to demystify the lobbying activity and thus contributing to improve organization's chances to achieve its strategic goals when dealing with Government authorities.