A Review of Lobbying Literature in Accounting

ABSTRACT Corporate lobbying is a legitimate mechanism for businesses to participate in the regulatory decision-making processes. However, a long-standing concern exists about whether lobbying compromises the quality of regulatory standards by prioritizing special interests over the public good. Research has highlighted instances where corporate lobbyists have significantly influenced both U.S. and international regulations. Researchers also analyzed lobbying firms’ characteristics and how corporate lobbying impacts the outcomes of firms’ activities. This study synthesizes the contemporary lobbying research published in mainstream accounting journals and offers a conceptual framework to examine its role in accounting standard setting and other regulatory processes. The study also explores the factors determining corporate lobbying behavior and the consequences of lobbying on various corporate outcomes. Through analyzing theoretical, survey, and archival studies in accounting literature, the study also offers directions for future research. JEL Classifications: M10; M41; M48.