Introduction -- The context: the challenge of boosting competitiveness -- The story: institutions, actors and port reform legislation -- The theory: institutional change and business lobbying -- Full steam ahead - spurs to port reform legislation -- A perilous journey - institutions and actors...

This article analyses the case of port modernization reform in Brazil and explains why business action and influence varies at different stages of the reform process. Specifically, it accounts for business' exceptional role in policy formulation, but subsequent weak performance in contributing...