Stakeholder Salience Research Articles

Who champions environmental sustainability? A stakeholder’s analysis of public assembly venues

PurposeDespite an abundance of literature regarding the motivations of sport and entertainment managers to adopt environmentally sustainable practices (ESPs) within their venue, there is little offered on which particular stakeholders motivate such action. This study examined the venues which host such events to identify the stakeholders who influence the adoption of ESPs, their specific roles and to highlight salient stakeholders who primarily motivate ESP adoption.Design/methodology/approachGuided by stakeholder theory as a framework for analysis, a qualitative study was employed which consisted of sixteen semi-structured interviews with venue personnel including presidents, general managers, operations directions and recycling coordinators. Participants were asked to discuss their venue’s management structure, stakeholder relations and ESPs.FindingsInternal stakeholders – particularly ownership and operations personnel – were salient stakeholders motivating ESP adoption, but the most unique stakeholder identified was that of a motivated “doer” from no particular role who simply possessed the power, legitimacy and urgency to act on ESPs. Thus, there was no single, identifiable stakeholder role to champion ESPs so much as there was a motivated, normatively legitimate stakeholder who wanted to be that champion.Originality/valueThis research contributes to the growing sport ecology literature and is the first to present the idea of a non-particular, doer stakeholder to champion ESPs within this industry rather than one with a more defined role within organizational structure.

Supply chain risk identification: Signaling companies’ social sustainability reputation

Over the past decades, supply chains have become global, longer, and consequently more complex to manage and control. This evolving context has shaped the current business landscape, which increasingly demands socio-environmental accountability from firms. This paper addresses these emerging business requirements, making an original contribution to its field by drawing on stakeholder and signaling theories to identify whether the adoption of supply chain risk identification practices exerts a positive effect upon firms’ social performance. Additionally, it assesses the role of digital technology in strengthening this relationship. A survey of manufacturing firms was conducted to gather data, which was analyzed via covariance-based structural equation modeling and AMOS 28.0 software. The research found that practices intended to identify supply chain risks make a considerable contribution towards signaling a positive social sustainability reputation and highlighting the application of digital technology to help attain better social performance. Stakeholder saliency is an aspect that still requires further research.

Harnessing stakeholder engagement for sustainable agricultural intensification: contemporary evidence from northern Ghana

This article analyses the indispensable role of sustainable agricultural intensification practices (SAIP) in meeting the needs of a burgeoning human population with limited planetary resources and examines the role of various stakeholders in the adoption of these practices by local farmers. The study setting is the Upper West, a semi-arid region of Ghana. The study employs a stakeholder salience theory and a mixed-method design. Firstly, qualitative data were collected and analysed as a basis for formulating a structured questionnaire administered to beneficiary farmers, which were then analysed using marginal effects from logistic regression. Notably, the study found four sustainable crop cultivation practices and three eco-friendly crop storage methods promoted in the area. Furthermore, the engagement of stakeholders like selected farmers, Traditional authorities, and implementing NGOs had statistically significant effects on the adoption of SAIP. However, these effects were smaller when compared to the direct involvement of all beneficiary farmers in the planning and implementation of the intervention. This suggests that while technocrats and authorities are important, they alone cannot achieve the desired impact of development interventions. Beneficiary farmers are the most critical stakeholders in adopting and promoting SAIP. The article further proposes a conceptual framework for implementing SAIP in agro-based rural communities. This research therefore underscores the importance of sustainable agricultural intensification practices in a resource-constrained world and emphasizes the central role of beneficiary farmers in driving the success of such initiatives.

A Systems Perspective on the Public Perception of Wind Power in Norway

AbstractThe Sustainable Development Goals, a set of ambitious targets embraced by United Nations member states, are designed to meet global challenges head‐on while shaping a sustainable future. Of these, Goal 7, in particular, focuses on the critical need for affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. Wind energy holds a significant potential in fulfilling Goal 7 of the sustainable development goals. In Norway, there exists a unique scenario, where nearly 98% of electricity is generated from renewable resources. However, without a subsequent increase in power production, a deficit in power is projected by 2027 according to a short‐term market analysis by Statnett. To prevent this, it is imperative to increase the production of electricity from wind. However, in recent years, there has been a significant rise in opposition towards wind power projects in Norway. Some of the wind power projects have even been put on hold because of the increase in protests. In light of this, we apply systems thinking methodologies to improve our understanding of this complex problem. Initially, we identify the stakeholders in our system of interest and categorize them through stakeholder salience analysis framework. Then, we developed a systemigram to graphically represent the system of interest. Finally, we carry out causal loop analysis to find causal loops in our system of interest. Our primary focus with this work is to better understand the factors shaping public perception of wind power projects in Norway. By gaining a deeper understanding about the factors influencing public perception of wind power projects in Norway, we aim to find better solutions to improve the social acceptance of these initiatives in Norway in future works.

Investigating the varying relevance of CSR dimensions on firm leverage: The implications for internationalized firms

We empirically investigate the varying role of CSR dimensions such as community, diversity, employee relations, environment, human rights, and product on US firms’ leverage. Overall CSR performance and dimensions relating to diversity, employee relations and environment are negatively associated to firm leverage, implying easier access to equity financing. Contrastingly, the human rights dimension is positively associated to firm leverage. For internationalized firms, particularly operating in non-environmentally sensitive industries, the relationship is however reversed for overall CSR performance and dimensions related to diversity, employee relations and environment, while community performance is negatively associated to firm leverage. Drawing on the stakeholder theory of capital structure and stakeholder salience, we highlight the heterogeneous consequences of CSR dimensions as channels that both enable and limit access to equity financing. Our results are robust to alternative explanations and proxies and highlight the need for managing specific CSR dimension performance, the more so when operating multi-nationally.

How has stakeholder theory served the public administration literature? In search of the intellectual structure of the field

ABSTRACT This investigation aims to contribute to the intellectual structure of public administration stakeholder theory. There is a need for dedicated effort to understand the real contribution of the most cited references in the field. The literature review is carried out using bibliometric and lexical analyses. The main conclusion is that articles have used concepts from four theoretical bases: collaborative governance, stakeholder salience, legitimacy, and wicked policy problems. This represents a step forward in the existing literature on public administration stakeholder theory extant literature as we advocate the return to using stakeholders to explain performance determinants.

A Novel and Integrated Approach to Stakeholder Salience: Insights from the Tourism Sector in the Gilgit-Baltistan Province of Pakistan

ABSTRACT Stakeholder Salience (SS) framework is a tried and tested tool for stakeholder analysis in diverse policy settings. However, the original SS framework provides insights into whether a stakeholder possesses power, legitimacy, or urgency without indicating the level and nature of these attributes. To enrich our understanding of stakeholder salience framework, we introduce a nuanced approach by treating the three attributes as continuous variables. In doing so, we have imported and integrated various important frameworks and conceptualizations used earlier in policy analysis. Based on such an enhancement, we propose a typology of 48 stakeholders to better understand their significance, diversity, and constituents in the tourism sector of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. Each attribute of stakeholders' salience is dealt as a separate construct measurable along a continuum. The enhanced framework enhances our comprehension of stakeholder dynamics, enabling more nuanced insights for tailored policy interventions in the tourism sector of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan.

Not a Priority? That’s a Problem: The Influence of Stakeholder Salience on Event Leveraging to Increase Sport Participation

Sport events must be strategically leveraged if desired participation outcomes are to be achieved. However, uncertainties remain over which event stakeholder/s should lead this process. In addition, there is a lack of theoretical explanation to support the findings from extant studies in this area. This study analyzes how stakeholder salience influences event leverage for sport participation, focusing on a case study of an Australian state sport organization (SSO) and two major sport events. Data were collected through 15 semi-structured interviews with the SSO’s employees and content analysis of over 60 organizational documents, websites, and media reports. Findings revealed that strategies for leverage were ineffective due to demands enforced by the national sport organization, a highly salient stakeholder. This research provides new insight on the utility of sport governing bodies leading event leveraging strategies, highlighting the significance of stakeholder salience and strategic control systems in achieving desired outcomes.

The integration of education for sustainable development into accounting education: stakeholders’ salience perspectives

PurposeThis paper applies a stakeholder salience theoretical framework to facilitate the understanding of the roles salient stakeholders can have in the integration of education for sustainable development, one of the important Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), into Jordan’s university accounting education.Design/methodology/approachWe used stakeholder salience theory to inform our study. This study adopted a qualitative research method. The study used semi-structured interviews to collect qualitative, open-ended data that explored the salient stakeholders’ thoughts, beliefs and feelings about their roles in influencing the integration of education for sustainable development into the Jordanian accounting curriculum.FindingsThe results indicate that education for sustainable development in accounting is important; however, most Jordanian salient stakeholders indicate their inability to integrate sustainable education into the accounting curriculum due to their lack of power to do so. The findings show that there is currently an inappropriate distribution of power, legitimacy and urgency amongst the salient stakeholders, who indicate that a progressive education solution is required in the critical area of education for sustainable development in accounting. This research indicates that a significant number of salient stakeholders would like the Jordanian government to provide power, legitimacy and urgency to enable accounting educators to become definite stakeholders as this will enable them to integrate sustainable education into the accounting curriculum.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is limited to Jordan only. The paper draws attention to the need for an appropriate distribution of power, legitimacy and urgency amongst salient stakeholders in Jordan.Practical implicationsThis paper provides evidence that the salient stakeholders in this emerging economy want to make changes in their education system to address climate change concerns, an important SDG, through a better education curriculum for sustainable development in Jordanian universities.Social implicationsAccounting educators should be given the power to make changes in the accounting curriculum, such as integrating education for sustainable development.Originality/valueThere is an inappropriate distribution of power, legitimacy and urgency amongst the Jordanian salient stakeholders and this imbalance hinders the integration of education for sustainable development into the accounting curriculum.

Climate change disclosure and evolving institutional investor salience: Roles of the Principles for Responsible Investment

AbstractThis study investigates the relationship between climate change disclosure and institutional investors. A particular focus of the present study is the question of if and how the relationship is affected by the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). A relevant context to the question is shareholder engagement, where institutional investors' legitimacy affects the outcomes. Thus, this study examines Japan, where shareholder engagement is the main pathway for institutional investors to convey their ESG‐related influence to investee companies. Using the stakeholder salience theory as a theoretical framework, the empirical results of analyzing 17,604 firm‐year eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) documents of listed Japanese companies provide evidence for the following. First, institutional stakeholders' holding ratio has positively influenced corporate climate change disclosure (power). Second, the positive influence of institutional investors is more significant when PRI‐signed institutional investors are present (legitimacy). Third, the aforementioned relations gained statistical significance gradually during the analysis period (urgency). Fundamentally, this study shows that the stakeholder salience theory contributes to a deeper understanding of the relationship.

Theories underlying environmental, social and governance (ESG) disclosure: a systematic review of accounting studies

PurposeEnvironmental, social and governance (ESG) disclosure has gained momentum in corporate reporting. Addressing a research gap on the subject, this paper aims to explore the theories involved in ESG disclosure studies, thereby shedding light on the dominant theoretical approaches and emerging perspectives that inform this type of disclosure.Design/methodology/approachA systematic review of 142 selected accounting studies published up to June 2023 devoted to ESG – and corporate social responsibility (CSR) – disclosure was conducted. The theories underlying these studies were examined through a descriptive performance analysis complemented by a systematic qualitative text analysis using RStudio and QDA Miner software tools.FindingsThe study reveals that five dominant theories stand out among the overall 32 found: stakeholder theory first, followed by legitimacy, institutional, agency and signaling theories. Theories are often combined into an integrated theoretical framework. The findings also show an array of minor constructs – many of them unconventional – that offer fresh perspectives for studying ESG disclosure, such as upper echelons, stakeholder salience, cognitive cost and reputation theories, among others.Originality/valueThis paper provides an original literature contribution by offering a comprehensive overview of the mainstream and niche theoretical perspectives underpinning accounting studies focused on ESG disclosure, with a nuanced scope of discussion on the use of ESG/CSR terms.

Shifting Responsibilities: Developing a Pan-European Service Model for an eHealth Technology Supporting Self-Management of People with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Comorbidities.

Active participation of patients in their care via self-management is an important pillar to manage chronic conditions. Self-management education and continuous support are needed to improve patients' confidence to take such active role. One way to do this is through eHealth technologies. However, those technologies can only be successful when actively used in daily practice and when integrated in overall care. Therefore, this study investigated how a self-management eHealth technology could be implemented that emphasises the active role of patients in their care. The service modelling method was utilized as implementation strategy. The design process consisted of five phases with salient stakeholders and consortium members of a European project to develop the service model. Studies with salient stakeholders were carried out in three different countries (Italy, Estonia, the Netherlands). A combination between face-to-face and online methods facilitated the participatory design process. Due to the pan-European context, different stakeholders in the three countries were identified. Research nurses and case managers were not yet established in practice but once implemented, expected to contribute to optimal implementation. During service modelling, a crucial step was revealed: providing self-management training before technology use to let patient familiarise with the concept of taking an active role. As HCPs felt that they were not necessarily equipped to guide patients in terms of self-management, they also should have access to such self-management training. By demonstrating a way for implementation while emphasising patients' active role, we also showed the complexity of the method in two ways. First, by demonstrating the fine line between the descriptive and prescriptive model. Thus, showcasing the need to recognize that prescriptive models may be hampered by the delay in changing work practices. Second, by highlighting the importance of identifying country-specific differences in the pan-European context, revealing that service modelling is not a one-size-fits-all approach.

Stakeholder dynamics and their impact on value creation for industrial maintenance projects-a literature review

This paper analyses research developments in the dynamics of stakeholders and their impact mechanisms on the creation of value through a literature review. Three databases, Scopus, Science Direct and Google Scholar are selected to search articles. This study employs a quantitative descriptive analysis and a qualitative thematic analysis to provide a perspective of the data. The findings of the review reveal that stakeholder dynamics management is embedded in project environments and that the dynamic nature of the stakeholder salience attributes can be classified under stakeholder influence and engagement, project lifecycle and dynamics, value creation and framing, and project and stakeholder-associated risk. However, from the characterisation and the drivers of stakeholder dynamics discussed in the literature, the perspective of project risk dynamics has been understudied, with a focus mainly on stakeholder-associated risk to the project, and less on project risk and the stakeholder interactions related to potential losses or gains by stakeholders from such project decisions and activities. Although there is a recognition of the importance of managing stakeholder dynamics within project environments, the factors that affect stakeholder dynamics and their impact on the creation of value for industrial maintenance projects are still unclear. The outcome of the literature review can assist in providing the foundation for the authors’ empirical work of developing a novel conceptual framework for analysing stakeholder dynamics and their impact on maximising value creation in the context of industrial maintenance projects.

Divergence and convergence of salient stakeholders' perceptions toward forensic accounting education: importance, obstacles and pedagogies

PurposeThis research study aims to identify barriers to incorporating forensic accounting into accounting curricula in Jordanian universities. The study examines the differences in perspectives among various accounting education stakeholders, including students, educators and accounting and auditing employees/managers, on forensic accounting education.Design/methodology/approachThe research methodology is quantitative and involves administering a survey questionnaire. The data obtained are analyzed using techniques including t-test analysis, one-way ANOVA and post-hoc.FindingsThe study reveals that educators have a more favorable view toward incorporating forensic accounting into university accounting curricula in Jordan, while accountants and auditors (employees/managers) are more strongly convinced of its importance. Furthermore, the biggest challenge to integrating forensic accounting, as perceived by stakeholders, is the lack of related job opportunities.Practical implicationsThe study significantly contributes to accounting education research by providing valuable information on barriers to incorporating forensic accounting into the accounting curricula of Jordanian educational institutions from the perceptive of various stakeholders. Therefore, this study may assist educators in overcoming obstacles in offering forensic accounting education.Originality/valueThe study carries important implications for the inclusion of forensic accounting in the accounting curricula of Jordanian educational institutions. By comprehending the different viewpoints of various stakeholders, educators and policymakers can address recognized challenges and strive for the effective integration of forensic accounting in accounting curricula. As a result, accounting students will receive a more comprehensive education, and graduates will be better equipped for successful careers in the field.

An ethical salience framework to achieve sustainable development goals

AbstractThe global sustainable development goals (SDGs) aspire to achieve fairer outcomes for all. A fundamental tenet of the sustainable development agenda is the pursuit and fulfilment of the needs of those most vulnerable and deprived. However, this has been difficult to achieve partly because it requires a mammoth effort to engage multiple stakeholders over complex timeframes and geographical scales. Thus, we propose a new framework – an Ethical Salience Framework – that we developed through amalgamation of the ethical need‐entitlement‐desert framework, and the managerial stakeholder salience framework. The new framework provides a better instrumental interpretation of stakeholder salience through incorporating ethical principles. The new framework also focuses on society's deontological obligations to deprived stakeholders. Instead of a single cluster of high‐salience stakeholders, we propose deontological and instrumental clusters. We propose stakeholders occupying both clusters are equally important for the successful achievement of the SDGs, but also institutional goals more broadly.

Sustainability Disclosure in The Malaysian Construction Sector: The Effect of Community and Media Legitimacies

"Research Aims: The objective of the study is to examine the effects of stakeholder pressure on sustainability disclosure (SD). The study includes the effect of community on SD when the company considers the media as one of the legitimate stakeholders. Design/Methodology/Approach: Stakeholder legitimacy is evaluated using SD via content analysis based on panel data samples from the construction and property sectors. Research Findings: It was found that legitimacy is an antecedent and has a positive relationship with SD. Furthermore, this relationship between community legitimacy and SD is stronger when mediated by media legitimacy. Theoretical Contribution/Originality: This study shows the effects of the legitimacy attribute on SD instead of the influence of stakeholders in general (regardless of the legitimacy concept) and the incremental value for companies to include the interest of the media in SD apart from the communities alone. Managerial Implications in the South East Asian Context: It guides managers in forming a comprehensive stakeholder engagement plan and budget to increase company value. This illustrates to the managers the motivation behind making disclosures about the media in the SD more so in this rapid social media where fake and misleading information threatens the public trust in Southeast Asia. Research Limitations & Implications: The study does not include power and urgency factors along with legitimacy. Keywords: Stakeholder Legitimacy, Stakeholder Salience Theory, Stakeholder Theory, Sustainability Disclosure, Construction, Endogeneity"

Stakeholder Salience Analysis in the Policy Formulation of Anti-Violence Against Women and Children

This article explores stakeholders influence in the policy formulation of anti-violence against women and children by using the stakeholder salience model as a conceptual framework. Stakeholder engagement in policy formulation is essential to achieving optimal policy practise and performance. However, the contestation of interests and imbalance of power between stakeholders in the policy formulation of anti-violence against women and children inhibit the development of policy alternatives based on problem solving, resulting in low policy performance. The research method used is qualitative research with a case study approach, and the stakeholder analysis method is applied to the data analysis. The research findings demonstrate that the policy formulation of anti-violence against women and children is dominated by dependent stakeholders with only power and legitimacy attributes, while the attributes of urgency are not available, reflected in their inattentiveness in providing a quick response to the rising cases of violence and their lack of knowledge on the issue of violence. This study concludes that stakeholders' influence in the policy process is limited. Stakeholders are only involved during public hearings, and the policy is only drafted and discussed by the policy elite, specifically Commission VI of the Aceh Legislative Council, an expert’s team, and the Aceh Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Unit. It indicates that stakeholder engagement is only to gain legitimacy for policy decisions. This research contributes to providing knowledge about stakeholder dynamics in policy formulation contexts and theoretical knowledge about the creation of the most powerful and influential stakeholders for maximising policy formulation and policy performance.

From attention to action: How board environmental expertise influences corporate environmental performance

How do board environmental experts influence corporate environmental performance? Drawing on the advisory role of the board, we examine this question and propose that board environmental expertise fosters attention toward stakeholders through the development of decision-makers’ knowledge structures and the identification of opportunities to address a wider range of stakeholders, ultimately contributing to stronger stakeholder orientation. In addition, we theorize that board environmental expertise fosters substantive actions toward environmental performance by reducing information asymmetry and accurately assessing the risks of investing in pro-environmental initiatives. We also consider how the effects unfold in different institutional contexts. We theorize and find that national stakeholder salience increases attention pressure toward stakeholders and that environment-oriented legislation adds to the action pressure toward environmental performance. Our results, based on 11,634 firm-year observations from 15 countries between 2003 and 2016, support our theoretical predictions.

Stakeholders’ perceptions of sustainability performance of a gold mining subsidiary in Ghana

PurposeWith the recent increasing relevance of sustainability, multinational enterprises are faced with divergent stakeholder demands and persistently shifting priorities. This study aims to examine stakeholders’ perceptions of the sustainability performance of a gold mining subsidiary in Ghana.Design/methodology/approachUsing a purposive sampling technique, the authors interviewed managers and employees of the case enterprise, officials of regulatory institutions and host community members on their perceptions of the case enterprise’s sustainability performance. The authors triangulated the opinions expressed by these stakeholders with data from annual reports. The data were analysed through the lens of stakeholder theory.FindingsThe authors found that while members of the host community and the regulatory institutions were keenly interested in the case enterprise’s social and environmental activities, they perceived their performance as unimpressive, considering the economic benefits derived from the mining operations. On the contrary, the managers and employees of the case enterprise were satisfied with their environmental compliance and social intervention programmes, even though the company’s economic position had declined. The authors submit that the variations in the sustainability performance perceptions among the stakeholders are due to the lack of a deeper understanding of the other stakeholders’ expectations.Practical implicationsTo equitably satisfy diverse stakeholder expectations, the study highlights the role of stakeholder collaborations in understanding the expectations of more salient stakeholder groups such as community members and employees, as well as the lesser salient groups such as academics. It also demonstrates the fluidity of sustainability and its benefits in designing a consensual sustainable management strategy. This implies that managers of the case mining enterprise make the necessary efforts to meet the diverse stakeholder needs while attaining their primary objective of creating wealth for shareholders.Originality/valueCompared to advanced economies, studies on sustainability performance in emerging economies are limited. Nonetheless, these limited studies leave out stakeholder perceptions, focusing more on quantitative performance indicators. Using thematic and content analyses, the authors investigate stakeholder perceptions on the sustainability performance of a case mining subsidiary operating in Ghana. The study focused on Ghana because it is ranked with South Africa as the top two producers of gold in Africa. Nonetheless, unlike South Africa, Ghana faces more sustainability challenges from the mining sector due to weak institutions in enforcing sustainability standards.

An integrative framework to evaluate impacts of complex tourism change initiatives

There is a need for holistic frameworks that show why, how, and by whom complex tourism change initiatives should be planned and implemented to achieve social impacts. This study aims to fill this knowledge gap by synthesising the theoretical underpinnings of three models—Theory of Change, Realist Evaluation, and Stakeholder Analysis—and crafting an integrative theory-based framework (ToCRESA) demonstrating pathways to social impacts. This study also advances Mitchell et al. (1997) stakeholder salience model by including a new attribute of ‘sustained perceived value’ to introduce a new classification of ‘determined stakeholder’. Due to the complexities of tourism change initiatives, ToCRESA suggests considering stakeholders' sustained perceived value in order to be engaged throughout the change initiatives. We used the complex social phenomenon of sustainable development of smart tourism to showcase the application of ToCRESA in developing impacts on society.