Power Lines by Anne McCaffrey

In this sequel to Powers That Be , the hardworking inhabits of the sentient planet Petaybee continue their struggles with the magnates controlling Intergal Company. While chairperson Dr. Whittaker Fiske has been convinced of the planet's intelligence--and the necessity of negotiating with it--other members of the board believe that he and the Petaybeans are suffering from a collective delusion. Two representatives arrive to investigate: the first, Marmion de Revers Algemeine, maintains an open mind, but cultural anthropologist Matthew Luzon uses his training to cheat non-technical cultures out of their heritage.