Shein, A Smoking Gun?: Shein’s path to the European Union Lobbying and why it won’t be successful.

Summary, in English

This thesis examens lobbying strategies by corporations within the context of the European Union’s regulatory framework. The example used is fast fashion company Shein, who is affected by EU legislation as they enter the EU market. The research focuses on access points and constraints when corporations lobby the EU and explain why Shein won’t be successful.
Evidence collected through Process Tracing, from the period 2019-2025, will demonstrate Shein’s means, motive and opportunity to lobby within the EU. Weighing this evidence against the theoretical framework argues that Shein does not align with the EU’s norms, provide expertise to its institutions, nor have public congruence, which are all vital for successful lobbying. Comparing this to Big Tech, which has been successful in lobbying, Shein might have the economic resources, but their late entry, their reputational baggage and misalignment with the EU’s institutional access points and no public congruence won’t make them successful in their lobbying.

• Author: Klara Nordensten
• Department/s: European Studies
• Publishing year: 2025
• Language: English
• Full text: Available as PDF - 2 MB; Download statistics
• Document type: Student publication for Master's degree (two years)
• Topic: Cultural Sciences
• Keywords: European Union; Fast fashion; Lobbying; Shein; European Studies
• Supervisor: Anamaria Dutceac Segesten (Biträdande Lektor)