City Research Online

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

Wenzel, M., Trittin-Ulbrich, H., Edinger-Schons, L. , Castello-Molina, I. ORCID: 0000-0001-8386-3570 & de Bakker, F. G. A. (2025). Towards Holistic Stakeholder Engagement: Integrating Participation, Inclusion, and Democracy. Business and Society, 64(6), pp. 1055-1076. doi: 10.1177/00076503251341209

Abstract

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 and can generate 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.

Publication Type: Article
Additional Information: © The Author(s) 2025. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) which permits any use, reproduction and distribution of the work without further permission provided the original work is attributed as specified on the SAGE and Open Access page (https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/open-access-at-sage).
Publisher Keywords: stakeholder engagement, participation, inclusion, democracy
Subjects: H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management
Departments: Bayes Business School
Bayes Business School > Management
SWORD Depositor:
[thumbnail of wenzel-et-al-2025-toward-holistic-stakeholder-engagement-integrating-participation-inclusion-and-democracy.pdf]
Preview
Text - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.

Download (445kB) | Preview
[thumbnail of Manuscript.pdf]
Preview
Text - Accepted Version
Download (703kB) | Preview

Export

Add to AnyAdd to TwitterAdd to FacebookAdd to LinkedinAdd to PinterestAdd to Email

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

View more statistics

Actions (login required)

Admin Login Admin Login