The Value of Stakeholders in Organizations: Some Stakeholders Are More Important Than Others

Abstract or Introduction

Every organization works in a social framework with a definite purpose, and thus, it has to relate to a number of stakeholders. These stakeholders have various interests in the organization, and similarly the organization also has varying degree of interest in the different stakeholders. Ordinarily, the purpose of the organization defines its relationship with a stakeholder and such relationships are the reflections of its interests. Most organizations attach importance to its stakeholders based on the amount of gain the organization derives from the respective stakeholder or the liability the organization has to a particular stakeholder. Thus, business organizations attach utmost importance to stockholders, or the owners since these people are the investors in the firm and the company bears a liability of returning the profits to these people. On the other hand, customers also form an important stakeholder for business firms since they bring in revenue for the firm that helps it in fulfilling its liabilities and objectives. In reality, non-profit organizations have a different type of objective. They work for a cause; the stakeholders who are directly related to the cause form the most important stakeholders. For example, any organization, which works for education of poor children, defines all poor children it serves as its important stakeholder. The patrons who donate to such organization are also referred to as important since they provide the means for achieving the objectives of the organization. Therefore, this persuasive essay will provide a comprehensive discussion about the assertion that some stakeholders are more important than others.