Toward Holistic Stakeholder Engagement: Integrating Participation, Inclusion, and Democracy

Research on the manifestations and hurdles of stakeholder engagement remains scant and fragmented. In this introduction to the Special Issue on stakeholder engagement, we conceptualize the concept through three related modes: participation, inclusion, and democracy. Each mode reflects different aspects of stakeholder engagement, generating benefits for both organizations and their stakeholders. Yet, each mode also faces challenges. We propose an integrative framework that unifies these modes of stakeholder engagement, emphasizing areas of synergy and potential conflict. The article concludes by advancing directions for future business and society research on stakeholder engagement.

(Introduction to the Special Issue: Stakeholder Engagement : Opening up participation, inclusion and democracy)