Prof. Dr. Detlef Sack is the Head of the Institute for Democracy and Participation Research (IDPF), Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, Institute of Political Science, Bergische University Wuppertal, Germany. He specialises in political science, democratic theory and governance. His areas of research cover chambers of commerce and chambers of craft, business associations, democratic innovations, and public policy. He conducted research about the chambers of commerce in Germany and France and edited “Chambers of Commerce in Europe“, which contains comparative research about the institutional change of chambers of commerce in Austria, France, Germany, France, Hungary and the United Kingdom.
During the Chambers of Commerce – 4th International Conference we will deliver a lecture on the topic: “Neglect, voice, vote, and lots – trends in membership in chambers of commerce with mandatory membership”.
Abstract
The presentation discusses four trends of membership commitment in chambers of commerce with mandatory membership. Neglect is the most common (non) behaviour of members. Low voter turnout indicates this kind of ignorance. Voice and commitment are spread among a minority of members. Vote is a contingent kind to adress the need to change the chamber’s policy. Lot was newly introduced in a small number of German Chambers in order to address members that neglected the chambers before. The premise is that chambers’ functions in service delivery and interest articulation are severely affected by the hollowing-out of membership commitment chambers.
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This year, the Conference is scheduled for one day online – November 20, 2025. Free access. Links will be send by e-mail only for registerred participants!
More information about the Conference, Speakers and agenda are avaiable at https://chambers.pl.
See you in November!
