Abstract
If stakeholder theory is to become a full theory of business–society relationships,
it will have to develop a better understanding of processes by which
stakeholders may gain and hold influence over firms. A better understanding
of the political processes involved is required. This paper—as well as the
papers in this special issue—takes a political ‘view’ to addressing the issue,
and thereby extends the currently dominant demographic and structural
approaches. It suggests that the influence of stakeholders over firms is the
temporary outcome of processes of action, reaction, and interaction among
various parties. Consequently, the further advancement of stakeholder theory
would benefit from the adoption of process-research methods and thinking.
it will have to develop a better understanding of processes by which
stakeholders may gain and hold influence over firms. A better understanding
of the political processes involved is required. This paper—as well as the
papers in this special issue—takes a political ‘view’ to addressing the issue,
and thereby extends the currently dominant demographic and structural
approaches. It suggests that the influence of stakeholders over firms is the
temporary outcome of processes of action, reaction, and interaction among
various parties. Consequently, the further advancement of stakeholder theory
would benefit from the adoption of process-research methods and thinking.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Peer-reviewed scientific journal | Business & Society |
| Volume | 47 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Pages (from-to) | 8-20 |
| Number of pages | 13 |
| ISSN | 0007-6503 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 01.03.2008 |
| MoE publication type | A2 Review article in a scientific journal |
Keywords
- 512 Business and Management
- stakeholder theory; process; politics; influence