Stakeholders

Global Stakeholders: corporate accountability and investor engagement

by Duncan McLaren

Corporate Governance: An International Review
Volume 12, Issue 2, pages 191–201, April 2004

In this age of transnational capitalism most victims of corporate malpractice have no means to hold the wrongdoers to... more In this age of transnational capitalism most victims of corporate malpractice have no means to hold the wrongdoers to account – especially those whose lives are blighted day-in, day-out by the “normal” operations of companies within the letter of the law. This paper argues that corporate social and environmental abuses are rooted in a lack of accountability of corporations to their stakeholders. It explores how governance mechanisms such as corporate engagement by “socially responsible” investors could enhance stakeholder accountability. It identifies and contrasts two paradigms in socially responsible investment engagement, and relates them to voluntary and regulatory responses to corporate abuses. It concludes that the development of standards for stakeholder-oriented engagement and governance could help stimulate effective regulatory measures to protect stakeholder interests.

DESIGN OF MARINE STRUCTURES WITH IMPROVED SAFETY FOR ENVIRONMENT

by Alan Klanac

co-authored with Petri Varsta, accepted for publication in 'Reliability Engineering and System Safety'

The paper describes a method for design of marine structures with increased safety for environment, considering also... more The paper describes a method for design of marine structures with increased safety for environment, considering also the required investment costs as well as the aspects of risk distribution onto the maritime stakeholders. Practically, the paper seeks to answer what is the optimal amount that should be invested into certain safety measure for any given vessel. Due to the uneven distribution of risk, as well as the differing impact of costs emerging safety improvements, stakeholders experience conflicting ranking of alternatives. To solve this multi-stakeholder decision-making problem, in which each stakeholder is a decision-maker, the method applies concepts of group decision-making theory, namely the Game Theory. The method fosters axiomatic definition of the optimum solution, arguing that the solution, or the final selected design, should satisfy the non-dominance, efficiency, and fairness. These three are thoroughly discussed in terms of structural design, especially the latter. Considering the coupling of environmental risk and structural design, the method also builds on the preference structure of four maritime stakeholders: yards, owners, oil receivers and the public, who either share the risks or directly influence structural design. Method is presented on a practical study of structural design of a tanker with a crashworthy side structure that is capable of reducing the risk of collision. The outcome of this study outlines a number of possibilities for successful improvement of tanker safety that can benefit, concurrently, all maritime stakeholders.

Building Chains and Directing Flows: Strategies and Tactics of Mutual Influence in Stakeholder Conflicts

by Charlene Zietsma

Preprint version of Zietsma, C. & Winn, M.(2008). Building Chains and Directing Flows:  Strategies and Tactics of Mutual Influence in Stakeholder Conflicts, Business & Society, Vol 47/Issue 1, pp. 68-101.

This paper aims to advance theory by deepening our understanding of the processes and specific actions aimed at... more This paper aims to advance theory by deepening our understanding of the processes and specific actions aimed at influencing and shaping business practices through dynamic stakeholder relationships. We conduct an inductive, longitudinal study of all players involved in a regional stakeholder conflict that reached international scope and we present two sets of findings. First, we find evidence for four clusters of influence tactics used by both secondary stakeholders and their target firms: issue raising, issue suppressing, positioning and solutionseeking. Second, through our examination of the processes and patterns underlying influence strategies, we discover that stakeholders build elaborate influence chains and work to direct influence flows. The paper contributes to stakeholder theory in a number of ways. We offer a refined understanding of both bilateral and mutual influence tactics, expanding the theory’s focus beyond bilateral relationships. We further uncover the deliberate use of dependence relationships among multiple embedded organizations to build influence over a specific target, and more generally, an organizational field. We discuss our findings in light of work on social movement organizations and institutional theory, thus integrating our empirical findings with insights from three bodies of literature to advance stakeholder theory.

Governmental Stakeholder and Project Owner's Views on Regulative Frameworks in Nuclear Projects

by Liisa Sallinen

Authors: Sallinen, L., Ahola, T., Ruuska, I.

Conference paper presented in IRNOP (International Research Network on Organizing by Projects) conference in June 19th-22nd 2011 in Montreal, Canada.

The paper was chosen as one of the ten best papers of the conference and awarded as the Best Student Paper of the conference.

Published in Project Management Journal Vol. 42, No. 6, 33–47, 2011.

This paper aims at increasing understanding on a specific type of stakeholder, namely governmental stakeholders that... more This paper aims at increasing understanding on a specific type of stakeholder, namely governmental stakeholders that have significant influence over projects and base their influence on a regulative framework. Different parties in nuclear projects make their own interpretations on the framework. To understand why there are differences in these interpretations, we used three institutional elements: (1) laws and rules, (2) practices, and (3) values for analysis. This paper uses interview data from a nuclear industry governmental stakeholder and a project owner. The results show that interpretations aren’t always coherent, and the incoherencies are clearest in the practice element.

Governmental Stakeholders in Nuclear Projects

by Liisa Sallinen

Authors: Sallinen, L., Ruuska, I., Ahola, T.

The was paper presented at NFF (Nordic Academy of Management) Conference, August 22nd-24th, 2011, Stockholm, Sweden.

The paper is iIn review process

To be updated by 30.4.2012 To be updated by 30.4.2012

A MULTI-STAKEHOLDER PERSPECTIVE ON SUSTAINABLE MARKETING Studying business–society relations through action research

by José Carlos García-Rosell

ACCEPTABILITY OF FREIGHT POLICY INNOVATION FROM A STAKEHOLDER PERSPECTIVE: ROME'S LIMITED TRAFFIC ZONE

by marcucci edoardo

Urban freight policy innovation for Rome's LTZ: a stakeholder perspective

by marcucci edoardo

Urban freight policy innovation for romes LTZ: a stakeholder perspective

by marcucci edoardo

Capitalismo kantiano y el modelo stakeholder: la necesidad de una ética empresarial de la justicia (PEDRO FRANCÉS GÓMEZ)

by Las Torres de Lucca Revista Internacional de Filosofía Política

La "teoría de los stakeholders" se ha impuesto como modo de concebir las organizaciones, en particular las... more La "teoría de los stakeholders" se ha impuesto como modo de concebir las organizaciones, en particular las empresas con ánimo de lucro. Éstas se describen como redes de públicos o grupos interesados, ante los que los gestores tienen una responsabilidad multi-fiduciaria. El máximo proponente de la gestión de stakeholders en el ámbito empresarial, Edward Freeman, sostiene que una teoría normativa de la gestión de stakeholders establecería que las obligaciones fiduciarias de los gestores son auténticos deberes morales, debido al valor intrínseco de cada uno de los interesados en la organización. El presente artículo critica el fundamento empleado por Freeman para defender la teoría normativa de los stakeholders. El elemento fundamental de la crítica es que se trata del mismo fundamento normativo que emplea la teoría heredada de la firma; mientras que la teoría de Freeman resulta menos precisa que aquella. Como alternativa se propone concebir la organización como un ámbito de justicia, un contexto de interacción social donde las partes encontrarían racional acordar criterios de distribución del beneficio que asegurasen la cooperación necesaria para producirlos. Este mecanismo fundamenta las obligaciones sin recurrir a supuestos como la dignidad individual o los derechos individuales. Pero no impide operacionalizar las demandas de justicia en forma de derechos de diverso tipo.

Reflections on Humanistic Management in Practice–Concluding Remarks

by Michael Pirson

The Humanistic Management Network.

by Michael Pirson

Decision-making and contested heritage in Northern Ireland: The former maze prison/Long Kesh

by Kate Flynn

The former Maze Prison / Long Kesh in Lisburn, near Belfast, is one of the primary sites associated with the ‘The... more The former Maze Prison / Long Kesh in Lisburn, near Belfast, is one of the primary sites associated with the ‘The Troubles’ in Northern Ireland. Controversy about the site’s future makes it clear that the redevelopment of contested heritage cannot be divorced from the policy process of a negotiated settlement between opposed communities and parties. However, research indicates that, despite the stated ‘inclusive’ intent of the Maze / Long Kesh redevelopment, decision-making about the site is often viewed as removed from stakeholder interests and input. Instead many see plans for, as well as ongoing arguments about, the site redevelopment as determined by party politics, as well as parochial interests pitting those based in Lisburn against others in Belfast. Thus community level and other stakeholder interests are often perceived to be ignored. Findings are informed by in-depth interviews with representatives from two loyalist and three republican ex-prisoner groups each representing different paramilitary factions, as well as a loyalist cultural organization, a cross-community victims/survivors group and a community relations charity. The material is balanced by further interviews with senior civil servants and politicians from both nationalist and unionist parties.

Social Responsibility of Malaysian Small Businesses: Does It Influence Firm Image?

by Mehran Nejati

Amran, A., and Nejati, M. 2001. “Social Responsibility of Malaysian Small Businesses: Does It Influence Firm Image?” Paper presented at IJAS Conference, Germany, Nov. 27 - Dec. 2, 2011.

Business arena has witnessed a growing interest in social responsibility practices of firms worldwide. While large... more Business arena has witnessed a growing interest in social responsibility practices of firms worldwide. While large companies have been the major target of such demands, small businesses have also been encouraged to practice social and environmental initiatives due to their significant aggregate impact on society. Nevertheless, studies of social responsibility (SR) have mainly focused on large companies and small businesses have been largely ignored in previous studies, specifically in emerging economies where small businesses play a very critical role in the success and development of their respective nations. Thus, to fill this research gap, the current study seeks to investigate the status of social responsibility practices among a number of Malaysian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and examine its influence on firm image.

Stakeholder Approach: What Effects Should We Take into Account in Contemporary Societies?

by Eva Rimbau Gilabert

Jose Maria Lopez-De-Pedro and Eva Rimbau-Gilabert. Journal of Business Ethics. DOI: 10.1007/s10551-011-1029-0

In recent years, the stakeholder approach has been widely applied in the debate on corporate social responsibility... more In recent years, the stakeholder approach has been widely applied in the debate on corporate social responsibility (CSR). Although many authors of this approach have reviewed many elements of the model, they have unconditionally accepted several criteria assumed by Freeman (1984) to identify stakeholders. In general, stakeholder authors have assumed that (a) the company establishes dyadic relationships with other agents, and (b) decisions made by a company only have foreseen and direct effects on other agents. These criteria have enabled researchers to understand simple processes. However, they have also prevented researchers from explaining how action comes about, and how responsibility is shared, in many complex processes taking place in contemporary societies. Such complex processes involve many agents, and each decision can generate unexpected effects which accumulate or disseminate. Furthermore, the normative structure governing these processes can affect and/or be affected by the actions of agents. In this study, we propose new criteria to expand the stakeholder model and facilitate the study of CSR in such processes.

Gérer les responsabilités sociales des entreprises envers leurs parties prenantes

by Olivier Furrer

Amandine Perrinjaquet, Pepijn Vos, Olivier Furrer, & Carolyn P. Egri
Revue économique et sociale
Vol. 66 (March), 2008, pp. 33-50

Différents groupes de parties prenantes attendent des entreprises qu’elles jouent un rôle plus important dans la... more Différents groupes de parties prenantes attendent des entreprises qu’elles jouent un rôle plus important dans la résolution des problèmes sociaux et environnementaux actuels. Gérer leurs responsabilités et leurs relations avec les groupes de parties prenantes est de plus en plus important pour les entreprises. Cependant, les études existantes ne donnent que des réponses limitées quant à la façon dont ces entreprises peuvent gérer leurs relations avec leurs parties prenantes. «Quelles pratiques responsables devraient être adoptées par les entreprises et est-ce que ces pratiques permettent d’améliorer leur performance sociale?» et «Y a-t-il des cultures organisationnelles permettant aux entreprises de mettre en place des pratiques responsables avec plus de succès?» sont des questions qui restent encore en suspend. Afin de répondre à ces questions, nous avons développé une enquête et recueilli des données auprès de 244 entreprises basées en Suisse.

Managen van de prestaties op het gebied van MVO: Resultaten van een empirisch onderzoek in Nederland

by Olivier Furrer

Pepijn Vos, Olivier Furrer, & Carolyn P. Egri
M&O (Tijdschrift voor Management en Organisatie)
Vol. 62, Nr. 5, 2008, pp. 23-36

Various groups of stakeholders expect that firms play a more important role in solving social and environmental... more Various groups of stakeholders expect that firms play a more important role in solving social and environmental issues. Therefore, managing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is becoming critical for business firms. However, existing literature only provides limited answers about how to manage CSR-practices. An unanswered question is: 1) which CSR-practices should be adopted and how does this affect firms CS-Performance (CSP). Based on empirical data from 180 firms in the Netherlands, we provide an answer how certain CSR-practices affect the firm’s CSP. This, in turn, has implications for managers how to select CSR-practices to improve their firms’ CSP.

Diverse stakeholders verwachten van bedrijven dat zij een steeds belangrijkere rol gaan vervullen in het oplossen van maatschappelijke vraagstukken en milieuvraagstukken. Daarom is het van cruciaal belang dat bedrijven hun prestaties op het gebied van maatschappelijk-verantwoord-ondernemen (MVO-prestaties) goed managen. De bestaande literatuur geeft echter nog beperkt antwoord op de vraag hoe bedrijven dat zouden moeten doen. Welke MVO-activiteiten zouden bedrijven moeten (gaan) uitvoeren en hoe is dit van invloed op hun MVO-prestaties? Op basis van gegevens van 180 bedrijven in Nederland geven wij antwoorden op deze vraag en tonen aan hoe het uitvoeren van bepaalde MVO-activiteiten van invloed is op de MVO-prestaties van een bedrijf. Dit heeft vervolgens weer implicaties voor managers over welke MVO-activiteiten te selecteren om hun prestaties op MVO-gebied te verbeteren.

Actor-Networking Stakeholder Theory

by Vilma Luoma-aho

Published in Corporate Communications: An International Journal, 15(1), 49-67.

Purpose – The paper suggest a need to widen stakeholder theory to include non-human influences to better describe the... more Purpose – The paper suggest a need to widen stakeholder theory to include non-human influences to better describe the complex corporate environment. Drawing from Actor-Network theory, non-human entities may ‘translate’ new, unexpected stakeholders to support their aims.

Design/methodology/approach – Theoretical conceptual approach with three illustrative examples.

Findings – Examples provided show that corporate crises result partly from previously unacknowledged non-human spheres of influence and cause corporations serious losses. Corporations that take a proactive stance and monitor the weak signals of change are able to improve their standing and maintain legitimacy.

Research limitations/implications – The framework created requires more testing with different examples across contexts and cultures. Future studies should examine the process of translation more deeply and examine who can potentially be translated into a stakeholder.

Practical implications – Corporate communication should play ‘the devil’s advocate’ on issues and analyze not only stakeholders but also non-human entities that may be able to translate others into joining their cause.

Originality/value – This paper broadens stakeholder theory to better describe the current corporate environment by highlighting the process of translation among stakeholders and non-human entities.

Keywords – Stakeholder theory, Actor-Network Theory, non-human entities, corporate communications, strategic planning

Paper type – Conceptual paper

Towards a more dynamic stakeholder model: acknowledging multiple issue arenas

by Vilma Luoma-aho

Published in Corporate Communications: An International Journal 15(3), pp. 315-331.

Purpose – The paper suggest that corporate communications is becoming less predictable as interaction with... more Purpose – The paper suggest that corporate communications is becoming less predictable as interaction with stakeholders is moving from organizational control toward ‘issue arenas’, places of interaction where an issue is discussed by stakeholders and organizations both online and within the traditional media. The role of corporate communications and public relations is broadening beyond the traditional relationship management to issue arena monitoring.

Design/methodology/approach – Theoretical approach with six axioms suggested.

Findings – Several central theories of corporate communications are combined with issues management and stakeholder theory to argue for a multiplicity of new ‘issue arenas’, which require an increased amount of monitoring. Six axioms are suggested for future research on corporate communications, and a mosaic of multiple strategies for multiple publics moved by multiple issues is recommended.

Research limitations/implications – The axioms suggested require empirical testing with different arenas across contexts and cultures, and the axioms may change over time as the virtual arenas expand. Future studies should focus on the process of arena formation as well as the division of voice on the arenas.

Practical implications – Monitoring becomes central as corporate communication is less controllable. Corporate communication and public relations will play a key role in organizational survival in the future through the processes of finding the right issues and ‘issue arenas’ for interaction, facilitating the organization-public debate and through this managing organizational reputation. A change in thinking is required, as identifying issues should precede identifying stakeholders.

Originality/value – This paper argues that organizational survival depends not only on communicating with the right stakeholders, but also on finding the relevant issue arenas in which organizations should participate in discussion.

Keywords – Issue arena, stakeholder theory, issues management, monitoring, corporate communications, strategic planning

Paper type – Conceptual paper

A troubled past, a challenging present, and a promising future: Tanzania’s tourism development in perspective

by Noel B. Salazar

Salazar, Noel B. 2009. A troubled past, a challenging present, and a promising future? Tanzania’s tourism development in perspective. Tourism Review International, 12(3-4), 259-273.

Despite the many assets the continent possesses, tourism in Africa has mostly operated below its potential, and its... more Despite the many assets the continent possesses, tourism in Africa has mostly operated below its potential, and its often poorly planned development has had irreversible negative consequences for both people and the environment. In order to develop sustainable forms of tourism, respectful of the rich natural and cultural African heritage, industry leaders and policy makers must consider the broader historical and socioeconomic contexts in which tourism is implanting itself. Inspired by an anthropological perspective, this article takes Tanzania as a case study. Tourism in this East African country, as in other African countries, is firmly embedded in encompassing—and sometimes conflicting—processes of localization, nationalization, regionalization, and globalization. Only by having a solid understanding of how these different scales are connected, disconnected, and reconnected, and by taking into account the interests of all stakeholders involved, can we begin to build an integrated African hospitality industry that is sustainable as well as economically beneficial. Archival records and recent ethnographic data are combined to show the kinds of challenges and opportunities this poses in the case of Tanzania.