Exploring the Dimensions of an International Social Issues Climate

While progress has been made in integrating many social issues concepts, empirical research testing these concepts remains limited. This paper examines four research questions posed from an open systems perspective about issues climate dynamics. These questions guided survey research with managers within 102 organizations to explore their perceptions of 40 issues active in the Caribbean Basin. The research supports the usability of the issue life cycle concept, helps differentiate between an issue's stage and its impact, and reveals an underlying structure among the issues within this region. Because the research also surveyed respondents' involvement in the region over a 2-year period, it also shows how their perceptions of issues can be linked to their subsequent behavior. Finally, the research suggests that foreign policy initiatives designed to stimulate private sector development need to be closely coordinated with other initiatives designed to improve political and social conditions as well.