Stakeholder Definition in a Network Context: The Case of Piazza dei Mestieri

Abstract

This article contributes to the body of stakeholder literature by providing a detailed analysis of the dynamics that pragmatically occur in a firm during the process of analysis of stakeholder relationships. This process can be fragmented when an entity operates through a coordinated combination of different firms (with several legal entities) that form a network. The application of stakeholder thinking could be difficult when the overall purpose of the network is to provide social goods for increasing social welfare in a critical community. Recent trends in the stakeholder salience model, such as stakeholder relationships model will be analyzed in detail. The case study focuses on a network of several entities that provide training and work possibilities to early school dropouts, i.e. young disadvantage people. The network analyzed is located in Italy and it is composed by several legal entities like profit, not-for-profit and training agencies. In recent years, the business model adopted by the network has demonstrated its validity in contrasting the social phenomena, and the network is currently in expansion. The methodological approach used is a Participatory Active Research (PAR) one, particularly important for testing the efficient application of a theory or the evolution of a theory in a proper manner. The case can add a contribution in the constant and still modern debate on stakeholder management in practice. Our research can bring useful insights for policy makers and all those organizations that provide guidelines for stakeholder engagement.