Stakeholder Communication Research Articles

From greenwashing to ESG‐washing: A focus on the circular economy field

AbstractIn the field of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) today, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) factors play a fundamental and increasingly central role in the evaluation of corporate performance worldwide. The purpose of this paper is to investigate whether the recent phenomenon of ESG issues has given rise to a new form of greenwashing in a broad sense, not limited to the environmental sphere, but also extended to social and governance issues. The paper examines whether companies engaged in the transition to sustainable and in particular to circular models are actually focusing on concrete sustainable actions and less on distorted communication. Specifically, ESG performance measures were collected for 366 companies from the most impactful industries in different countries around the world to test the relationships between ESG performance, adoption of circular economy models and ‘washing’ practices related to stakeholder communication. As the transition to sustainable and circular models requires not only substantive action but also transparency, further research and efforts are needed to better understand the relationship between these elements in corporate behavior.

Leveraging Artificial Intelligence in Enhancing Identity and Access Management (IAM) for Court IT Systems

As judicial systems worldwide embrace digital transformation, the need to integrate advanced technologies into court operations has become more urgent than ever. This shift has revolutionized case management, stakeholder communication, and record-keeping, significantly enhancing the efficiency, transparency, and accessibility of judicial processes. However, with these advancements comes the critical need to protect sensitive data, such as personal details, case evidence, and legal documents, from unauthorized access and cyber threats. This white paper explores the pivotal role of Identity and Access Management (IAM) in securing court IT systems [1]. IAM, as a gatekeeper, not only plays a crucial role in protecting sensitive data but also provides a sense of reassurance about the security of court IT systems. It ensures that only authorized individuals interact with the data and provides a comprehensive audit trail to mitigate insider threats. By offering precise, role-based access control and monitoring user activity, IAM solutions help courts protect confidential information, uphold the integrity of judicial processes, and maintain public trust.

A framework for the design of fault-tolerant systems-of-systems

Context:Systems-of-Systems (SoS) increasingly permeate everyday life in various critical domains. Due to their dynamic nature, guaranteeing their fault tolerance is challenging. Fault-tolerant SoS must deal with behavioral changes in constituent systems, whether accidental or deliberate. Goal:This work proposes ReViTA, a framework to assist professionals in designing fault-tolerant SoS that can continue to provide their function even in the presence of disturbances, i.e., events that affect the ability of an SoS to fulfill its mission. Methods:By adopting ReViTA, fault tolerance can be achieved by reconfiguring an SoS architecture to meet the critical mission requirements. Results:We performed two studies to evaluate the ReViTA acceptance by professionals. In the former, we gathered perceptions and suggestions from 14 professionals through individual interviews. In the latter, we involved a group of four professionals who applied ReViTA to a real-world scenario. Conclusion:The results demonstrate that ReViTA can effectively support professionals in designing fault-tolerant SoS. Employing ReViTA also brings insights into costs and planning that are crucial for implementing fault-tolerance strategies. Using ReViTA facilitates a comprehensive understanding of conflicts and weaknesses in constituent systems and fosters collaboration between domain experts and decision-makers. Employing ReViTA also improves stakeholder communication and enhances resource utilization.

Pelatihan Pengembangan Unit Usaha Koperasi Pegawai Negeri Angkasa RRI: Strategi dan Tantangan

The Angkasa RRI Civil Servant Cooperative is an employee cooperative whose members are employees of Radio Republik Indonesia in the Special Region of Yogyakarta. Currently, the cooperative only has one business unit, namely the savings and loans unit. As a form of effort to continue trying to improve the welfare of its members, the administrators of the Angkasa RRI Civil Servant Cooperative intend to carry out business development by providing services to both members and non-members. Therefore, training was carried out for administrators, supervisors, and members and involved students from the Indonesian Cooperative University (Ikopin University) who were carrying out Field Practices. On this occasion, the training participants seemed enthusiastic about participating in the training. And it was conveyed that to carry out business development there are several strategic options that can be used by the Angkasa RRI Civil Servant Cooperative. These include a differentiation strategy, a cheaper price strategy than competitors, a focus strategy, a diversification strategy, and an integration strategy. In designing business development, new businesses must remain a priority for members. However, it is still permissible to serve non-members as long as the members are served well and feel satisfied. The steps that need to be prepared in planning business development are evaluating the current cooperative business situation using SWOT analysis, setting business development goals, identifying opportunities and challenges, identifying competitors and target markets, developing business plans, financing and budgeting, and introducing risks, development team, implementation schedule, performance evaluation and measurement, Stakeholder Communication and Engagement, Monitoring, and adjustments. By applying These steps will carefully help the Angkasa RRI civil servant cooperative to plan business development more effectively and increase the chances of success in achieving its business goals.

Defueling the impasse: EU political discourse on e-fuels

As part of its ‘Fit for 55’ package, the European Commission proposed to ban internal combustion engines in new cars and vans from 2035 onwards. Although initially agreed upon by the Parliament and Council of Ministers, Germany rejected the law last-minute due to its exclusion of e-fuels, leading to a three-week long impasse until a compromise was found. This study aims to explain how this impasse could occur by analysing the political discourse on e-fuels. A qualitative, inductive framing analysis is applied to 77 communications published by 15 stakeholders at five key dates during the legislative procedure. This revealed the different usage of positional and argumentative frames among stakeholders, and the importance of adding the e-fuels recital 9a to the Council’s General Approach. Both a change of mood in the discourse and discrepancies in interpretations of the recital were identified in the stakeholder communications after the Council’s General Approach, signalling towards a potential impasse. Although recitals are commonly used in EU policy making to find compromises, the recital made negotiations more difficult in this case. Understanding how this impasse could occur so suddenly at the end of the procedure can aid in predicting and preventing similar conflicts in the future.

Using process model to define the legislative framework of electronic prescription in the Czech Republic.

Defining legislation for electronic prescription systems (EPS) is inherently challenging due to conflicting interests and requirements. The study aimed to develop a comprehensive EPS within the Czech healthcare framework, integrating legislative, process, and technical aspects to ensure security, user acceptability, and compliance with health regulations. A process modeling tool based on hierarchical state machines was employed to create a detailed process architecture for the EPS. Key participants, scenarios, and state transitions were identified and incorporated into a process model using the Craft.CASE based on the BORM methodology. The final process architecture model facilitated interdisciplinary communication and consensus-building among stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, IT specialists, and legislators. The model served as a foundation for the legislative framework and was included in the explanatory memorandum for the draft amendment to the Pharmaceuticals Act. The use of hierarchical state machines and process modeling tools in developing healthcare legislation effectively reduced misunderstandings and ensured precise implementation. This method can be applied to other complex legislative and system design projects, enhancing stakeholder communication and project success.

Data-Driven Interventions for an Emergency Preparedness System: A National Experience in Australia.

Natural disasters and health emergencies disproportionally affect vulnerable populations causing disruptions to usual care and increasing chronic disease burden. Data and digital technologies are important tools to identify and mitigate indirect effects of emergencies. In this paper, we describe the methods used in the development of a series of digital emergency preparedness interventions to mitigate the direct and indirect consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic in the veteran community in Australia. The case studies demonstrate the use of data for surveillance, patient phenotyping, data-driven decision support and stakeholder communication in primary care. The intervention successfully increased appropriate healthcare use by vulnerable individuals and could be expanded to other populations.

Evaluating the Role of Project Management Offices (PMOs) in Large-Scale Construction Projects: Insights from Construction Industry Professionals

This research paper evaluates the role of Project Management Offices (PMOs) in large-scale construction projects, with insights from construction industry professionals. The study's main objective was to bridge the gap in literature by obtaining direct perspectives from those managing these projects. A structured online survey, encompassing both quantitative and qualitative questions, was administered to a diverse group of professionals. The analysis, conducted using statistical software for quantitative data and thematic analysis for qualitative insights, led to several key findings. PMOs were perceived as highly effective in aligning project objectives, resource allocation, process standardization, communication facilitation, and risk management. Notable challenges included resistance to change, inadequate senior management support, resource constraints, and project complexity. PMOs positively impacted project timelines, budget management, stakeholder engagement, and quality of deliverables. High integration of sustainability practices and moderate to high adoption of innovative technologies were also observed. Key success factors for PMOs included effective leadership, clear objectives, skilled teams, robust risk management, and effective stakeholder communication. Over 89% of respondents were satisfied with PMO performance. The study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by providing practical insights and confirming the critical role of PMOs in the success of large-scale construction projects. It highlights the importance of PMOs in driving sustainability and technological advancements, thus offering actionable guidance for enhancing PMO effectiveness in the construction industry.

Application of lean principles for building refurbishment projects in Sri Lanka

PurposeA comprehensive literature review was conducted to identify the lean principles and the challenges of building refurbishment. To have an in-depth investigation of the application of lean principles to address the challenges of refurbishment projects, ten expert interviews following a qualitative research approach were utilised in this research. Data were analysed using manual content analysis to derive the framework.Design/methodology/approachThe refurbishment of buildings has attracted the attention of the present construction industry. However, uncertain project characteristics, information deficiency, limited space for construction activities and less stakeholder involvement make it complex. Since the lean concept effectively deals with complex and uncertain projects, this study focusses to investigate the application of lean principles to overcome the challenges of refurbishment projects in Sri Lanka by developing a framework.FindingsIt was found that the five main lean principles of customer value, value stream, value flow, pull and perfection are appropriate for building refurbishment projects in Sri Lanka. Precise identification of clients and end-users, value adding and non-value adding activities, interruptions and stakeholder communication chains, setting scope, examining the possible technologies and taking measures to deliver the exact product to ensure the successful application of lean principles for refurbishment projects. Further, 27 benefits of five lean principles were identified which can be used to address the 13 identified challenges of building refurbishment of projects. Finally, a framework has developed portraying the application of lean principles in building refurbishment.Practical implicationsThe framework developed is beneficial for the building refurbishment project team to address the barriers of refurbishment projects by applying lean principles.Originality/valueThis framework can be used as a guideline for the implementation of building refurbishment projects by addressing their challenges with lean principles.

Enhancing the democratic nature of voting processes within decentralized autonomous organizations

PurposeThis paper aims to explore the problem of power imbalance within decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs) and propose potential solutions that could contribute to enhancing the democratic nature of DAOs.Design/methodology/approachIn this paper, the authors apply a qualitative methodology. Using a thematic coding analysis, the authors process data collected from interviews with 11 experts.FindingsMultiple factors contribute to the perceived lack of democracy within DAOs, such as token concentration and effective stakeholder communication. Next, quadratic voting has the potential to enhance democracy within DAOs, but this mechanism must be implemented mindfully. Finally, the results were nuanced when it comes to the effectiveness of liquid democracy in DAOs to enhance voter participation and representation.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is one of the first research contributions to propose recommendations to address the power imbalance within DAOs and to contribute to the advancement of decentralized decision-making structures.

Stakeholder Management and Communication Management in Non-Governmental Organizations: a systematic literature review

This paper aims to present a systematic literature review that discusses the importance of Stakeholder Management (SM) and Communication Management (CM) for Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).Through a systematic search in three databases, 35 studies were identified that met the inclusion criteria and addressed the area of SM and CM, focusing on the perception of the influence of CM on stakeholder engagement and satisfaction of their needs, as a Critical Success Factor (CSF) for project success. A mapping of the findings is also presented. Additionally, the limitations found in the literature were discussed and possibilities for future research are proposed. The study emphasizes the relevance of SM and CM for the success of NGO projects and highlights the need for more strategic and integrated approaches to managing these factors. Thus, this article contributes to the debate on SM and CM in NGO projects, offering effective practices for the successful management of these CSF.

Analyzing the impact of mergers on stock prices in the banking sector: An implication for strategic merger planning and stakeholder communication

This research delves into the intricate effects of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) on stock prices within the Saudi Arabian banking sector, employing the event study methodology (ESM) to examine both short-term and long-term impacts on stock valuations. The study meticulously calculates expected and abnormal returns (ARs) around merger events, shedding light on the significant influence these corporate actions exert on market perceptions and investor behavior. The methodology encompasses an analysis of daily stock price data before and after merger events, providing a detailed view of market reactions. Key findings reveal an immediate positive market response to merger announcements, driven by the anticipation of synergistic benefits, alongside diverse long-term stock price effects that underscore the complex relationship between initial expectations and actual merger outcomes. The research concludes that strategic merger planning and effective communication with stakeholders are crucial for realizing the anticipated benefits of mergers. By offering new insights into the sector-specific and regional dynamics that affect M&A outcomes, this study enhances understanding of the significant implications for investors, financial institutions, and policymakers engaged with the Middle Eastern financial markets.

Discrete financial in sentimental analysis using exploring patterns and trends

In today’s rapidly evolving financial environment, it’s crucial for investors and decision-makers to effectively analyze stakeholder communications to gain valuable insights. This research conducts a comprehensive evaluation of a range of models that utilize machine learning, such as CNN (Convolutional Neural Network), LR (Logistic Regression), Doc2vec, and LSTM (Long Short-Term Memory), to determine their efficacy in interpreting investor’s sentiments and predicting business assessments and trading dynamics. The justification for preferring deep neural architectures compared to conventional data analysis lies in the challenge of handling extensive amounts of diverse and unorganized data. Deep learning techniques have shown impressive capacity in automatically detecting complex characteristics and unveiling concealed patterns within written records, rendering them well-suited for sentiment analysis in financial dialogue. This research questions the notion that depending exclusively on data from a solitary origin leads to persistently effective investment moves. In fact, stakeholder communication is impacted by numerous influential elements, leading to diverse sentiments and sentiments. Through our comparative assessment, we aim to illuminate how various deep learning models can adeptly capture the intricate nuances of sentiment within fiscal messaging.

Service delivery and quality assurance in administrative units of higher education institutions during the pandemic

In the challenging backdrop of the pandemic, educational institutions, particularly teacher education entities, found themselves at a crossroads. Administrative services, traditionally seen as the backbone of these institutions, underwent significant shifts. Using a tool inspired by the Area X. Administration section of the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (AACCUP) instrument and grounded in the principles of Kivistö and Pekkola (2017), this study adopts a mixed-method approach to dissect these transitions. Our research unveils a robust move towards digitization, emphasizing the growing role of online learning and communication platforms in the modern educational business model. However, this digital embrace brings forth challenges, especially in areas like resource allocation, supply chain management, and stakeholder communication, which demand innovative business solutions. The findings underscore the need for ongoing improvement, adaptability, and the integration of modern business practices in the educational sector. This research serves as a roadmap, offering actionable insights for institutions aiming to optimize their administrative functions amidst changing business landscapes. Furthermore, it sets the stage for future researchers, emphasizing the blend of traditional educational values with contemporary business strategies, and encourages a more profound exploration of how educational institutions can navigate and thrive in today’s dynamic business environment.

A Stakeholder Communication Matrix (SCM) As A Planning Tool in Project Management: The Case of Cultural Heritage Projects

A Stakeholder Communication Matrix (SCM) As A Planning Tool in Project Management: The Case of Cultural Heritage Projects

ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF ROUTE MONITORING: GPS TRACKING IN KAZAKHSTAN’S RAILWAYS

In the context of Kazakhstan's railway operations, this study explores the economic advantages derived from the implementation of GPS tracking technology focused on route monitoring. Employing Extreme Programming (XP) principles, a case study within a national railway company details the process, challenges, and outcomes of integrating GPS trackers on mobile phones for workforce location tracking and geo-fencing. Results demonstrate the significant improvement in monitoring workforce activities and precise payroll calculation based on actual working hours. Emphasizing the role of the XP methodology, the study showcases enhanced stakeholder communication, iterative development, and continuous system improvement. Technical aspects of the GPS tracking system, including architecture, data flow, and integration with existing railway management systems, are examined. Moreover, the study delves into encountered challenges such as privacy concerns, data security, and user acceptance during implementation. This case study presents valuable insights for transportation organizations aiming to implement location-tracking and geo-fencing technologies, providing a blueprint for effective project management, iterative development, and stakeholder engagement in pursuit of economic benefits through route monitoring.

Integrating BIM to Enhance Stakeholder Collaboration and Economic Efficiency in Architecture and Construction Projects

Building Information Modeling (BIM) has significantly influenced the involvement of stakeholders and economic value in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) domain. This study investigates BIM’s impact on communication, cost savings, budget adherence, error reduction, and project timelines through a qualitative case study of three major projects in China: Shanghai Tower, Shanghai Disneyland Resort, and Beijing Daxing International Airport. The study shows that BIM helps in improving stakeholder communication and coordination due to centralization of data and real-time updates hence; eliminating potential misunderstandings. In economic terms, aspects such as precise modeling and control of resources leads to considerable reduction of costs hence avoiding project blowouts while improving sustainability. Also, BIM enhances project delivery efficiency in pre-construction phasing, decimating its time consumption, and lessening decision-making delays. The paper demonstrates the theoretical basis of BIM using Systems Theory and Information Theory and shows that BIM aims at establishing an integrated, information-driven workflow. Despite the threats including high initial costs and resistance to change, the research establishes that BIM has a significant positive impact in improving efficiency, cutting costs and encouraging sustainability. It is suggested that resources should be devoted to staff development, increase consistency in BIM practices, and incorporate new technology to fully leverage BIM regardless of project size and complexity. It is crucial for future studies to increase the sample number and study the positive effects of BIM on the sustainability of constructions.

Caught between two worlds: CSR of Swiss Corporate Foundations

Purpose: This study explored the activities of Swiss corporate foundations as the CSR arms of their parent corporations. Even though Switzerland has a favorable legal context for setting up foundations and is perceived as a country with a long philanthropic tradition, little empirical research exists on this topic. Design/Methodology: The sample of 14 foundations represented SMEs and large multinationals across eight industries. Qualitative in-depth interviews were used for data gathering, accompanied by elite interviews with opinion leaders. The data focused on various aspects such as the connection to the funding corporation, the rationale behind setting up the foundation, current perceptions on corporate citizenship as well as the stakeholder communication. Findings: The findings revealed that Swiss corporate foundations seem to be caught between two worlds. They are beholden to a profit-oriented corporation for establishing them but they are expected by society to pursue the altruistic goal of being good citizens supporting charitable activities. They have a delicate balancing act to develop their own identity and position themselves to society. To stay within the legal boundaries and keep credibility high, these foundations struggled to not be seen as the publicity arm of the parent corporation – some foundations performing this balancing act better than others. Different structures such as the composition of the board of trustees or the place of work reflected the standpoint of the interviewees of either being independent or supporting the business. Originality: To the best of our knowledge, no other study has explored the dimensions of Swiss corporate foundations as conducted in this study, which is important to the body of knowledge. Given the large number of corporate foundations in the world, this study helps broaden the horizons of the CSR body of knowledge.

BUSINESS NAVIGATION IN POLITICAL TURBULENCE: ANALYZING PRE-ELECTION ECONOMIC CONDITIONS AND ADAPTATION STRATEGIES FOR BUSINESSES

This literature review explores the intricate dynamics of business navigation in the face of political turbulence, with a specific focus on pre-election economic conditions and the adaptation strategies employed by businesses. The review synthesizes a range of academic sources to examine how political uncertainty, especially during election periods, influences economic environments and business operations. It delves into the various economic indicators that are typically affected by political events, such as market volatility, investment trends, and consumer confidence. The review also assesses the strategies businesses have historically adopted to mitigate risks and capitalize on opportunities during these periods of uncertainty. This includes a discussion on diversification, strategic planning, and stakeholder communication as key components of effective business adaptation. The study further explores the role of predictive analytics and scenario planning in preparing businesses for potential political outcomes and their economic repercussions. By integrating insights from various disciplines, including political science, economics, and business management, this review provides a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and strategies relevant to business decision-making in politically turbulent times. The findings highlight the importance of proactive planning and adaptability, emphasizing the need for businesses to remain agile and informed in the face of political events that can significantly impact the economic landscape.

A corpus-based approach to corporate communication research

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has become a decisive reputation tool for companies and as such, a key concept in corporate communication as a phenomenon of intercultural and global significance. This has warranted a comprehensive examination of the language of CSR reports reflecting the principles of the corporate culture. Studies exploring the narratives of CSR reporting currently lack insights into the distribution of meaningful priorities evidenced in language use. This study sets out to explore the linguistic environment of the most frequently occurring language tokens to identify recurrent language patterns used to ensure efficient CSR reporting, and to further establish priority directions in CSR narrative composition evidenced in language use. A corpus-based approach and contextual analysis were adopted to examine CSR reports issued by Microsoft over the last seven years and recognised as an example of best practices in the corporate field. The corpus was compiled using the Prime Machine corpus concordancer tool and comprised 99,176 tokens. Following the study results, the study makes a number of inferences regarding the use of pronouns, “Microsoft + a verb denoting positive action”, “more + than,” “more + adjective”, “Corporate” as part of compound terminological units, as well as a set of key tokens encountered within a descriptive linguistic environment with positive connotation. This, in turn, proved helpful in identifying the hierarchy of priorities distribution revealed in the course of material analysis. The results contribute to a systemic appreciation of corporate language policies facilitating efficient stakeholder communication and can be used in further research investigating related matters of scientific interest.