Michelle Egan - Böcker

Efforts to tackle the trade impeding effects of divergent standards and regulations are at the core of European economic relations. This volume draws on literature from several disciplines to develop a comprehensive account of the regulatory strategies and institutional arrangements adopted by the EU in promoting the single market in goods. It provides a historical overview and detailed cases studies of the various policy initiatives that have altered the boundaries between the public and private sector in fostering market integration. Tackling interstate barriers to trade has relied heavily on European law to shape the framework of relations between states, and trade liberalization has been facilitated by legal rulings resolving territorial conflicts over regulatory jurisdiction and authority. The European Court of Justice has actively shaped markets, acting as a 'free trade umpire' in balancing the goals of market liberalization and market regulation while fostering market compliance. Although markets are absolutely dependent on public authority, the institutional innovation of the EU has been to use the private sector in an ancillary role to the state. By delegating responsibility to set standards for market access, the EU has chosen to draw on the resources of private actors, resulting in a system of governance that is a distinctive, hybrid model of regulation composed of state and non-state actors. Though the "outsourcing" of public sector regulatory activity was expected to be more effective than the process of regulatory harmonization, progress has been difficult. The current deficit in setting standards for European-wide market access raises concerns about the efficiency and effectiveness of such a regulatory regime. Egan provides a detailed evaluation of that process, highlighting regulatory gaps in the single market and the need to focus not only on the process of market integration, but also its outcome and impact on European business.Comparisons with American efforts to create a national market are made throughout to demonstrate the difficulties of constructing and maintaining a single market. American and European efforts to devise a uniform market for commerce and trade have involved both public and private authorities, though with different degrees of coordination and centralization, as many of the strategies undertaken by the EU echo earlier American market-building efforts.

This timely book provides in-depth analytical comparison of the nineteenth century evolution of the American single market with corresponding political, economic, and social developments in post-WWII European efforts to create a single European market. Building the regulatory framework needed for successful adoption of an integrated single market across diverse political units represents one of the most important issues in comparative political economy. What accounts for the political success or failure in creating integrated markets in their respective territories? When social discontent threatens market integration with populist backlash, what must be done to create political support and greater legitimacy? Single Markets focuses on the creation of integrated economies, in which the United States and European Union experienced sharply contested ideas about the operation of their respective markets, conflict over the allocation of institutional authority, and pressure from competing political, economic, and social forces over the role and consequences of increased competition. Drawing upon four case studies, the book highlights the contestation surrounding the US and EUs efforts to create common currencies, expand their borders and territories, and deal with the pressures of populist parties, regional interests and varied fiscal and economic challenges. Theoretically, the book draws on work in European integration and American Political Development (APD) to illustrate that the consolidation of markets in the US and EU took place in conjunction with the expansion of state regulatory power and pressure for democratic reform. Single Markets situates the consolidation of single markets in the US and EU in a broader comparative context that draws on research in economics, public administration, political science, law, and history.

One of the most notable after-effects of the COVID-19 pandemic is the impact it has had on the way we work. Gone are days of predominantly office-based roles with occasional at-home working – during the pandemic, law firms found myriad ways to keep ‘business as usual’ in an all-remote environment. Fast-forward to 2023 and all law firms have embraced some state of hybrid working culture which presents a further challenge: how to combine the flexibility of remote working with the benefits of bringing people back together in person.Culture in Law Firms examines how this rapid shift has affected law firms, explores post-pandemic law firm management trends, and explains how law firm leaders can cultivate strong bonds within the firm and with clients, as well as retain and engage top talent. Crucial to all this is the integration of effective diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I), wellbeing and engagement strategies.This Special Report looks at the lessons learned during the pandemic and how they can help refine law firm management approaches to:Culture: Just as law firms tried to build a sense of culture during all-remote work, they continue to grapple with evolving strategies to foster a dynamic hybrid environment. Relationship- and firm-building are critical to this and the authors explore how many firms, as part of the ‘return-to-office’ pitch, have sought to articulate (i) what’s unique about their workplace; and (ii) how some level of in-person work is essential to forging strong relationships between colleagues and clients.DE&I: The authors explore to what extent firms are developing their return-to-office diversity and inclusion strategies and how this is underpinned by increased productivity and engagement from staff who are adequately equipped to balance work responsibilities with, for example, parenting, caring for older relatives or personal needs.Wellbeing: A true sense of inclusion and belonging is intrinsically linked with a sense of wellbeing, and the pandemic significantly increased awareness of the importance of employees’ physical and mental health. The need for workplaces to embrace and support employee wellbeing is considered in this report, and a spotlight is shone on current best practices for advancing wellbeing in a high-intensity law firm environment.Culture in Law Firms offers unique insights and expert guidance for senior law firm management (including managing partners, chairs, executive committee members, c-suite professionals and HR departments) as they navigate the ‘new normal’ to develop robust strategies for the hybrid workplace and beyond.