Special Interest Groups
One of the most interesting and demanding pressures on the business/society relationship is that exerted by special-interest groups.  Many of these groups focus on specific topics, then direct their concerns or demands to companies they wish to influence.  Special-interest groups have become more numerous and increasingly activist, diverse, and focused on single issues.  Unique companies, such as Good Money, Inc., that specialize in socially responsible and ethical investing, consuming, and business practices, have reason to catalog and monitor these interest groups.  One of Good Money's Web pages, "Social Investing and Consuming Activist Groups and Organizations," found at http://www.goodmoney.com/directry_active.htm, lists and briefly describes a few of the special-interest groups with which business must contend.  Good Money's Web page contains more information about the following special-interest groups, but it catalogs many more.

• 20/20 Vision-An advocacy organization dedicated to protecting the environment and promoting peace through grassroots action.
• EarthWINS-An organization dedicated to supporting activism for the environment, peace, justice, human rights, and Native Americans.
• Environmental Defense Fund-A group that reports and acts on a broad range of regional, national, and international environmental issues.
• International Fund for Animal Welfare-An organization that promotes the just and kind treatment of animals.
• Public Interest Research Group (The PIRGs)-Groups that promote social action to safeguard the public interest.
• Rainforest Action Network-An organization whose mission is to save the world's rainforests from destruction.

back to top