Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of the book. This book argues that what underpins a European-styled management scholarship is the 'rich legacy of diverse historical, cultural and philosophical traditions and contexts that have irretrievably shaped research outlooks, orientations and predispositions on this side of the Atlantic'. It focuses on the diversity of rich intellectual traditions in Europe to demonstrate how they shaped organization studies. The book states that Europe finds itself in a challenging situation dominated by economic and political uncertainty, which has deep ramifications for businesses and society. It discusses the link between firms and politics, specifically focusing on two concepts: corporate political activity and political corporate social responsibility. The book argues that most intellectual contributions to each approach come from North America and Europe respectively and that European and North American scholars have undertaken the paradigmatic framing of both concepts.