Game theoretic modeling of environmental ngos in an international context

The process of globalization has shaped and has been shaped by firms and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), many of which have become multinational corporations and international NGOs, respectively. The global setting and its challenges led NGOs to innovative strategic approaches in their interactions with governments and firms, for which Game Theory is a natural analysis tool. Based on the game theoretic research of NGOs we identify four major roles played by them in these interactions that range from confrontation to cooperation: lobbyists, mobilizers, litigators and information providers. In addition we highlight a mechanism that led some of the national NGOs to become international NGOs. In light of the surveyed literature we have to take a nuanced view regarding NGOs' impact on welfare as it can be positive or negative despite NGO entrepreneurs' drive to have a strictly positive impact in society. Therefore policy implications such as encouraging the proliferation or limiting the number of NGOs are best addressed within each specific setting.