Measuring Value Created for and by Stakeholders

Abstract

This paper outlines how value can be measured across four elements of the firm/stakeholder relationship beyond standard economic measures. It takes into account the perception of financial value along with non-financial benefits provided and received by the firm and its stakeholders. Focusing only upon the economic or financial outcomes of such relationships can lead to erroneous results as the money spent may not create value for the receiver, and could even do significant harm. The aggregation of views across different firms together with the perceptions of various stakeholders will allow for comparisons between firms and stakeholders. Applying this conceptual model will also reveal what is important to the firm versus what is important to the stakeholder. This paper proposes an improved approach to conceptualizing and measuring net value in which businesses can see if the value they provide exceeds the value they receive from stakeholders and vice versa.