Summary

The advent of digitalization has significantly transformed how firms influence public policy in the European Union (EU). Advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, big data, and cloud computing have driven substantial changes in business-government interactions. Despite these changes, existing research on corporate political activity (CPA) has largely focused on digital multinational enterprises (MNEs) and social media, overlooking the rapidly expanding regulations on digital technologies in the EU, especially following the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This dissertation addresses this gap by examining how firms shape digital policies in the EU, offering a comprehensive analysis of corporate strategies in the digital age. Chapter 2 provides foundational insights, highlighting that the study of MNEs, Industry 4.0, and sustainability is still in its early stages. It points out a lack of rigorous conceptual research, an overreliance on commentaries, and a need for more studies focused on the unique characteristics of MNEs and individual technologies. This chapter sets the stage for the subsequent analysis, calling for a more robust research agenda to explore these emerging areas. Building on these insights, Chapter 3 introduces two new CPA strategies: categorical information, employed before official communications to influence legislation, and conditional information, used later to integrate specific conditions into laws. Chapter 4 explores the challenges datacenters face in navigating multilevel governance and adapting their lobbying strategies across various government levels. Additionally, Chapter 5 examines the convergence of digital sustainability and geopolitics, marking the end of self-regulation for MNEs and the growing importance of corporate diplomacy. Overall, the study advocates for stronger cross-disciplinary collaboration, emphasizing the critical role of business scholars in deepening the understanding of CPA in the digital era.