Pressure groups

A pressure group is an organisation that tries to influence how a business behaves. It does not own the business or trade with it; it works from outside to change its decisions. Groups often focus on protecting the environment, consumers, workers, animals or local communities.

How they apply pressure

Pressure groups use several methods, often together:

• Campaigning — running a planned push to raise an issue, such as a clean river campaign against a factory's waste.
• Lobbying — putting their case directly to decision makers, such as meeting council planning officers or a business's directors.
• Publicity — sharing stories, photos or research with the media to turn public opinion against a practice.
• Petitions — collecting signatures to show how many people support a change.
• Boycotts — asking supporters to refuse to buy a business's products until it changes.

Why businesses take notice

A boycott can reduce sales directly, while damaging publicity can put off customers and hurt a business's reputation. For example, if a group called Riverwatch shows that a clothing retailer's supplier is polluting a stream, shoppers may avoid the brand and the retailer may lose summer sales. It might then agree to check its suppliers to protect its image.

Pressure groups are also affected by what a business does. If a business ignores their concerns, a group can attract more supporters and attention. If the business meets those concerns, the group may lose some support and influence because its main complaint has been dealt with.