The term "Representative" broadly refers to an individual or entity authorized to act on behalf of others, but in a business and organizational context, it commonly denotes a person or office that serves as an official delegate or agent for a company, group, or constituency.
**In the U.S. government context**, a Representative is an elected member of the House of Representatives, one of Congress's two chambers responsible for making and passing federal laws. Each Representative serves a specific congressional district for a two-year term and engages in introducing bills, voting on legislation, and serving on committees. The House has 435 voting members apportioned by population across states, plus delegates from territories and a resident commissioner from Puerto Rico who generally have limited voting rights. Representatives must meet age, citizenship, and residency requirements outlined in the Constitution[1].
**In business and legal contexts**, a Representative is someone authorized to act on behalf of a company or individual in negotiations, contract management, or other official matters. This role is critical for delegating responsibilities, ensuring effective communication, and preventing unauthorized actions. Representatives may be employees, agents, or third-party professionals such as legal consultants. Contracts often specify representatives to clarify authority and accountability, facilitating smooth business operations[4].
**Representative offices** are a specific organizational form used by companies to establish a presence in foreign markets primarily for marketing, liaison, and research activities rather than direct sales. These offices do not engage in transactional business but support the parent company by conducting market research, quality control, and building local relationships. They are common in emerging economies where regulatory or tax considerations make full subsidiaries or branches less practical. Representative offices often cannot invoice locally and are limited in scope but provide strategic advantages for international expansion[6][8].
**Association representation** involves individuals or entities acting on behalf of collective groups like unions or trade organizations to advocate their interests in negotiations, legal matters, or policy discussions. This ensures that members' voices are unified and effectively presented, especially in complex lega