Academic literature on the topic 'Stakeholder relationship management'

The study investigated the relationship between stakeholder relationship management and business sustainability indigenous oil and gas producing companies in Rivers State. The study population comprised of the ten (10) indigenous oil and gas producing companies operating in Rivers State. The research selected variated number of managers from each of the firms under study making it a total sample of sixty two (66) respondents. Data were generated from the respondents by the use of a close-ended structured questionnaire. Pearson’s product moment correlation, partial correlation and multiple regression were used to test the hypotheses with the aid of statistical packages for social science (SPSS) version 23.0. The p-values were calculated to determine the significance of the hypothesized relationship. Analytical outcomes revealed statistically positive and significant relationships between the dimensions of our predictor variable-stakeholder relationship management and the measures of the criterion variable-business sustainability. Based on the findings, the study concluded that stakeholder relationship management has a positive significant relationship with business sustainability of indigenous oil and gas producing companies in Rivers State. The study further recommended that Managers of indigenous oil and gas producing companies should capitalize on the pivot role of stakeholders’ interest in their operations to ensure their business sustainability; Managers of indigenous oil and gas producing companies should seek to build strong relationships with their host communities in line with their company policies and practices aimed at achieving business sustainability; Managers of indigenous oil and gas producing companies should apply objectivity in their employee relationship processes as this has the potency to either ruin or enhance their business sustainability

Purpose This paper focusses on external stakeholders’ perspective of stakeholder management in public–private partnerships (PPP) projects within the context of developing countries where public opposition to PPP projects is prevalent. The purpose of this paper is to identify the key enablers to PPP projects’ success from the perspective of external stakeholders. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected from two case studies via semi-structured interviews in two PPP project locations in Nigeria. In total, 14 external stakeholders comprising community leaders, trade unionists and human right activist participated in the research. Findings Five key enablers of external stakeholder management were identified. These are as follows: the choice of project location; transparency of the internal stakeholders; timing of stakeholder engagement; knowledge of PPP; and relationship with internal stakeholders. Originality/value External stakeholders’ perspective of stakeholder management in PPP projects within the context of developing countries new to PPP has been established. The practical implications of the five enablers can be used by policy makers and industry professionals to ensure effective stakeholder management of PPP projects.

Abstract Effective stakeholder management (ESM) is a critical success factor for projects. The increasing complexity in the relationships among stakeholders and their diverse characteristics, including power and interests makes the management of stakeholders increasingly challenging. To date, much of the literature has focused on the stakeholder analysis with very limited to the direct and indirect relationships between stakeholder characteristics (SC) and project performance (PP). Therefore, the aim of this study is to fill these research gaps by empirically examining (1) the relationship(s) between SC and PP and (2) the mediation effect of ESM on the above-mentioned relationships. Data analysis was conducted using structural equation modelling. The findings suggest that stakeholder legitimate behaviour (LB), opposing behaviour (OB), and conflicting interests affect the ability to achieve both sets of quantitative and qualitative PP negatively. ESM has been identified as a key element to eliminate the negative effects of the aforementioned behaviours on qualitative (and not quantitative) PP measures.

Stakeholder relationship management (SRM) remains critical to the attainment of successful project outcomes. This is particularly the case in the construction industry: an industry often described as considerably fragmented and project-based with a multiplicity of stakeholders with vested interests. Burgeoning incidences of project failure has been attributed to poor SRM. A lot of studies investigating stakeholder management exist, yet a paucity of studies looking into SRM has been noticed. Most of these studies have sought to investigate the phenomenon from a client perspective without taking cognizance of the contractor’s role in SRM. Also, the tendency of these studies to overlook stakeholder dynamics as it concerns power, uncertainty, etc. during various stages of the project lifecycle is observed. These are the gaps which this study will seek to fill relying on the customer relationship model (CRM) theoretical lens. A multi-case study research design is proposed. Different contractor organizations were selected based on a set of predetermined criteria. A plethora of within-case interviews and document reviews will be utilized in eliciting data concerning the approach adopted by construction contractors for managing extant relationships with critical stakeholders. The data was analysed thematically. It is expected that success factors will result from the elicited narratives. The following success factors for effective management of stakeholder relationship management emerged from the interviews and documents: Communication, understanding of stakeholders, the different types of stakeholders and type of project, management, and interpersonal skills, collaboration, engagement, and conflict management. This artefact will be compared to different CRM models to identify probable success factors for engendering effective stakeholder relationship management. Furthermore, the study’s findings will seek to contribute towards the development of a contractor-centric stakeholder relationship management framework for the Botswana construction industry.

This paper analyses the relationship between Stakeholders and Corporate Reputation in the Education Industry. Through the qualitative research methodology of surveys, responses from stakeholders of different levels in the education industry has been analysed. More specifically, the areas of corporate reputation analysed were stakeholders’ management, stakeholder communication, Integrating Stakeholder Management and Communication to become Stakeholder Engagement, corporate reputation, image and identity and reputation and trust. From the analysed survey, it was found that engagement through actions of the organisations towards its stakeholders creates value and trust as two-way symmetrical communication for greater decision making.

This paper attempt to explore the link between stakeholder engagement and CSR practice considering the best ways of achieving effective CSR implementation and creation of relationship through SE (Stakeholders engagement) which is an element of stakeholder management (Stakeholder management). The issues for consideration under SE are geared towards achieving a meaningful and participatory engagement of stakeholders by effective communication, introduction of an engagement process reflecting items agreed upon for decision making and legitimising or strategising stakeholders needs for organisational goals achievement. SM as a major issue aids in identifying the stakeholders based on their power to influence, urgency of claims and legitimacy of their relationship with the organisation. The identification process is only complete and relevant when the three attributes are utilised for prioritizing the stakeholders as latent, expectant and definitive stakeholders. The paper finally reviewed a three phase approach of stakeholder engagement and brought up a framework for achieving an effective CSR implementation by way of stakeholder engagement.

This study sought to establish the influence of understanding, stakeholder requirements, good rapport with stakeholders, healthy competition with competitors, conflict resolution, and effective communication on organizational performance among insurance companies in Kenya. Positivism research philosophy was adopted for the study. Descriptive and explanatory cross-sectional research designs were used. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics and inferential analysis. The study concluded as follows: (i) Understanding stakeholder requirements, creating and maintain good rapport with stakeholders, healthy competition with competitors, conflict resolution and effective communication were deployed to a moderate extent in insurance companies in Kenya, (ii) There was a strong positive correlation between organisation performance, understanding stakeholder requirements, good rapport with stakeholders, conflict resolution, and effective communication, (iii) There was a weak positive correlation between organisation performance and healthy competition, (iv) Understanding stakeholder requirements, creating and maintain good rapport with stakeholders, healthy competition with competitors, conflict resolution and effective communication had significant influence on the performance of insurance companies in Kenya. (v) Relationship management has a significant influence on organizational performance.

In one hand, marketers have privileges to obtain additional information about their target markets through the online businesses. On the other hand, customers and other stakeholders have an enormous flow of information to compare between competitive value propositions, available in the market. In this market competition, understanding the customers' and other stakeholders' value anticipations would be a central success factor for marketers to prolifically develop competitive value propositions, based on understanding the customers' and other stakeholders' needs, wants and expectations. Stakeholder relationship marketing has a history, as well as further potentials to understand stakeholders' value anticipations. From this context and based on an inductive constructivist approach, this study develops insights and proposes a conceptual framework on how various sports organizations manage their stakeholder relationships through their online business platforms, in order to design and deliver competitive value propositions.

Stakeholder management relates to how business organisations manage their relationships not only with their market stakeholders, but also with their nonmarket stakeholders. It requires firms and business managers to identify and develop effective strategies to balance the interests of many diverse groups or constituents. This requirement has of course been judged to be impractical by those who uphold narrow traditional views about how a firm operates; and is unsupported by those who believe that asking managers to focus on the interests or concerns of groups of constituents that do not directly contribute to the economic achievements or strategic objectives of a firm, is a distraction and an attempt to derail corporate objectives. However, in spite of the criticisms levelled against the notion of stakeholder management, firms can no longer ignore the fact that there are constituents who can affect, and are affected by their business objectives. The aim of this research is to illustrate the practical implications of stakeholder management by exploring how multinational oil corporations operating in the Nigerian oil and gas industry manage their relationships with nonmarket stakeholders; such as the local communities who are affected by their operations. In order to achieve the aims of this research, a case study approach has been adopted; the case study companies include Shell Petroleum Development Company (Shell), Total Exploration and Production (Total), and the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (AGIP). Furthermore, to achieve a balanced perspective regarding the stakeholder management practices of the oil companies, the research incorporates the views of stakeholders from local communities, and those from non-governmental organisations (NGOs). A mixed methods research strategy is employed in the data collection and analysis process to achieve not just triangulation, but also to assist in the comprehension of the research findings. The research established that each of the companies being studied has employed different stakeholder management strategies in order to manage their relationships with the local communities. The strategies employed by the companies, however, appear not to address the issue of environmental impact; the concern which triggered the breakdown in the relationship between the oil companies and the local stakeholders in the first place. They have instead mostly focused on ameliorating the socio-economic issues resulting from oil exploration and production activities, in part as a consequence of pressure from the local communities themselves. Additionally, the findings indicate that the companies have employed hostile and controlling engagement strategies such as intimidation, appeasement, and manipulation, when dealing with local community stakeholders. These strategies are believed to have undermined the quality of their relationship with the local communities. The most notable consequence of these engagement practices is damaged trust amongst community members, as well as between the communities and the oil companies. The findings of this research have strong implications for stakeholder theory, as well as future research into stakeholder management practices, particularly in relation to non-contractual or nonmarket stakeholders; they also shed light on several important practical issues in business management.

Thesis: S.M. in Engineering and Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of Engineering, System Design and Management Program, Engineering and Management Program, 2016.<br>Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.<br>Includes bibliographical references (pages 70-71).<br>Stakeholder engagement is a key but often misunderstood performance indicator of project success in controversial projects. Construction projects, power production, medical research, and waste disposal are examples of such large-scale projects. Many of these are critical assets and yet are often at risk of being shut down due to key stakeholder disengagement. It is a tragedy when a successful and needed project is terminated not because of technical, economic, or safety issues but due to a lack of proper stakeholder engagement. At a broad level it is generally understood that stakeholder relationship management is important, but how important and what must be done to ensure appropriate stakeholder engagement remains unclear. My research addresses this chronic problem using a newly developed system dynamics model that better illustrates complex relationships, how they change over time, and what must be done to gather enough support to ensure project success. To firmly root the system dynamics model, interviews were done at an unnamed nuclear power plant (NPP) in the United States. The strengths and weaknesses of the NPP's public outreach efforts were enumerated along with the strengths and weaknesses of the model itself. Ultimately, the model was shown to be plausibly useful to individuals responsible for success in managing stakeholder relationship on controversial projects.<br>by Adrien Laws.<br>S.M. in Engineering and Management

Corporate sustainability confronts significant challenges when supply chain managers pursue short-term financial performance to meet stakeholders' expectations. To achieve sustainable economic success, organizational managers need to understand the relationship between corporate sustainability and long-term financial performance. Based on the resource dependence theory, the purpose of this correlational study was to examine the relationship between sustainable supply chain management (SCM), stakeholder pressure, and corporate sustainability performance. The population consisted of worldwide public organizations from Newsweek Global Green Ranking 2016 list engaged in sustainable SCM. The secondary data for the study were collected from databases hosted by Sustainalytics and Standard & Poor's. The hierarchical multiple regression analyses indicated statistically significant relationships between sustainable SCM and corporate sustainability performance, F(5, 158) = 3,981, p = .002, R2[.112], and between stakeholder pressure and corporate sustainability performance, F(5, 158) = 2,552 p = .030, R2[.075]. Analysis of the relationship between sustainable SCM and corporate sustainability performance with stakeholder pressure as a moderator showed non-significant interaction effect, F (5, 158) = 5.54, p < .001, R2 =.11. R2 -chng =.0007, p-int = .669. With stakeholder pressure as a mediator, the relationship showed non-significant indirect effect, b = .024, z = 0.97, p = .329. The findings of this study could contribute to the social change given that sustainable development of supply chains support the conservation of natural resources and living standards of stakeholders.

Thesis (MBA (Business Management))--Stellenbosch University, 2008.<br>ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to determine approaches to CRM within the luxury hotel sector in Cape Town in order to add value not only to guests, but to all stakeholders of the hotel. This was done by conducting a literature review, supported by a sound base of primary research. The findings proved that CRM theory holds true for most luxury hotels and the notion that luxury hotels in modern times cannot afford to be without a CRM initiative, was underpinned. Furthermore, the concept of an aligned strategy and vision in terms of a hotel's CRM approach was found to be integral. Staff buy-in and co-operation are of utmost importance for any hotel property implementing a CRM initiative. Additionally, training and education on the importance of CRM was highlighted as an important factor to get all staff on board. Management needs to become customer relationship management experts themselves in order to inspire and motivate staff to excel at building relationships with guests. Moreover, the common mistake of hotels to place greater impetus on CRM technology than training and lack of leveraging CRM investments was examined as some of the main reasons for the failure of CRM initiatives. Although CRM technologies are extremely powerful tools and may facilitate a hotel's CRM strategy, they cannot be viewed in isolation and made responsible for the success of such a programme. Training is vital to enable staff to use these systems optimally and to turn guest data into gold. The importance of people was also emphasised in the light of personalisation of service; having the correct staff with an aptitude for guest service and hospitality is imperative. Lastly, the concept of customer-centric processes and systems was stressed. Everything a hotel does in terms of CRM efforts should be derived from the notion of guest satisfaction. Guest satisfaction is the one essential element that will enable a hotel to flourish and enjoy a firm base of repeat business. Repeat business is the most rewarding type of business for a hotel as it means that guests are satisfied with their service and will promote the hotel to others at no additional cost to the hotel.<br>AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie navorsingstuk was om die houding van luukse hotelle in Kaapstad teenoor kliënte verhoudingsbestuur (KVB) te bepaal en vas te stel hoe alle aandeelhouers van die hotel voordeel kan trek uit KVB. Die doelwit was bereik met behulp van primêre en sekondêre navorsing. Die bevindinge het bewys dat KVB teoreties waarde toevoeg tot meeste luukse hotelle. Die feit is geboekstaaf dat luukse hotelle nie sonder KVB kan oorleef nie. Dit was ook gevind dat 'n geintegreerde strategie en visie van uiterste belang is in KVB in hotelle. Personeel samewerking en entoesiasme is ook uitgelig as belangrike elemente wat die sukses van KVB bepaal. In hierdie opsig, was opleiding 'n integrale faktor tot die bevordering van personeel deelname. Die bestuur van hotelle moet self kundiges raak op die gebied van KVB om sodoende personeel te inspireer en motiveer om ook waardevolle kliënteverhoudinge te bou. Algemene foute wat hotelle begaan in terme van KVB is die feit dat meer klem gelê word op KVB tegnologie as op opleiding en dat die opbrengs op die inisiële belegging in KVB nie in ag geneem word nie. Alhoewel KVB tegnologie van onskatbare waarde is om 'n hotel se KVB strategie suksesvol te maak, kan die sukses van so 'n strategie nie alleenlik daaraan toegeskryf word nie. Ten einde die personeel te bemagtig om hierdie sisteme optimaal te benut, moet opleiding weereens as 'n area van belang beklemtoon word. Nog 'n prioriteit is die kwaliteit van personeel wat aangestel word; personeel moet 'n natuurlike aanvoeling hê vir kliënte diens en persoonlike interaksie.

This research investigates the relationship among the stakeholders during the strategic planning process in an airline company. The concept of involving stakeholders in strategic planning is based on the assumption that engaging stakeholders in a meaningful way will increase the benefits for both the organization and the stakeholders. The growth trend of the company investigated has resulted in complexity due to the growth of its internal and external stakeholders and the influence that their relationships can have on strategic planning. Whereas studies have identified a number of factors that can influence stakeholder relations, it has also been suggested that relationships could further be influenced by host of other stakeholder-related attributes. It is in this context that the study answers the following research questions: (1) how do stakeholders understand their responsibilities in strategic planning?; (2) how do they perceive the importance of communication and coordination to their relationship during the planning process?; and (3) how do the stakeholders‘ expectations shape the challenges faced by the company and their relationship during strategic planning? The study employs the qualitative method of research using the interview technique to collect data to gain insights into how the participants perceive and make sense of their relationships during strategic planning in their company. The conceptual dimension of the study is premised on the two streams of meaning of relationships and the dynamics of stakeholder relations during strategic planning projected in the literature. The methodological dimension is premised on the importance of lived experience as a significant source of knowledge. In this respect, the study draws on phenomenology using narrative analysis and inductive content analysis in the treatment of data. Accordingly, the study found that stakeholders bring to the table a plethora of responsibilities which have significant upward and downward influences during strategic planning. There is a consensus among stakeholders on the general importance of the relational benefits of coordination and communication. Real time coordination and communication with external stakeholders is differentially perceived within the range of poor to excellent. Likewise, there is differential perception of the relational importance of communication in terms of organizational context. Whether the coordination among stakeholders is perceived as excellent or poor, the bottom line is that stakeholder relations in the company remains a challenge. Stakeholders have multiple expectations of the company strategic plan and the strategic planning process which further raises multi-faceted challenges to the company. Based on the findings the study came up with a model that highlights the streams of thought pursued in the study. The findings affirm the view that relationships result from what transpires, happens, or occurs during strategic planning. Likewise, the inherent connectivity that results from the social nature of individuals involved in the planning process is affirmed. The former is on account of the responsibilities of the stakeholders and the latter on account of the inherent value that stakeholders place on strategic planning. The quality and extent of stakeholder relations however is moderated by extent and quality of coordination and communication before and during the planning process.

A construction project requires a multitude of people with different skills and interests and the coordination of a wide range of disparate, yet interrelated, activities. Such complexity is further compounded by the unique characteristics of a project and many other external uncertainties. As a result, construction is subject to more risk than other business activities. In a risky situation, individuals or organizations perceive the situation in their own ways and behave differently to meet their own interests. Many researchers have asserted that divergent risk attitudes are sources of mismatched risk perceptions and inconsistent behaviors among project participants in different organizations, which can disturb proactive and consistent organizational activities. The research on risk attitude has, therefore, been advocated to exploring ways to consistently arouse people‘s cognition, affection, and behavior among stakeholders. However, previous research has been a widely misunderstood concept and remains a fragmented focus in the construction field. Evidence on the construction of risk attitude and how it manifests itself is unavailable. To date, prior researchers have suffered from an issue-oriented focus that has resulted in simplified models by studying single level of antecedents of risk attitude and consequences of management performance, rather than multi-level. Moreover, previous studies only focused on the direct relationship between risk attitude and management performance instead of providing a profound conceptualization of the indirect relationship between risk attitude and management performance or empirically exploring risk attitude‘s antecedents and consequences. The current study seeks to bridge this research gap. Triangulation research is employed as an appropriate research methodology in which both qualitative and quantitative data collection are used to test the research propositions. The research plan draws upon ontology and methodological pluralism. By adopting the Critical Incident Technique (CIT), coupled with an intensive literature review, one can explore the manifestation of risk attitude and its antecedents by analyzing critical incidents derived from preliminary interviews. Cognitive Motivation Theory (CMT) and Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) provide rationales to combine a processed view of risk attitude and the antecedents and management performance of individuals and organizations into a multi-level model of risk attitude. Responses to a questionnaire survey of 239 individuals nested in 61organizations were analyzed with a blend of Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Hierarchical Linear Modeling (HLM) to establish and examine the hypothesized relationships in the theoretical model. To capture the practical manifestation of risk attitude and its influence on management performance, case studies of two ongoing construction projects were performed. The findings summarized from both qualitative and quantitative studies indicated that risk attitude diverged due to the multi-level influences of its antecedents on project participants, resulting in inconsistent risk perception and risk inclinations. Risk attitude has two levels of manifestation – an individual and organization level. Individual risk attitude manifests itself as cognition, affection, and behavioral inclination, while organizational risk attitude mainly shows up as managerial trust, formalization, an ambiguity of goals and objectives, and a merit system. The findings confirmed that motivated individuals tend to present more consistent risk attitude and be more willing to and capable of exhibiting good management performance. The motivation behind this study is beyond the traditional motivational means. It extends from internal motivation with its locus of control and self-efficacy to external motivation with its interpersonal exchanges, external controls, and observational learning. The risk attitudes of motivated people to evoke better management performance, especially in the process of integrating risk management into a safety management system and the outcome performance of a stakeholder‘s satisfaction and potential to organizations. The research attempts to advance risk attitude theory by re-conceptualizing the antecedents of risk attitude and the consequences of management performance make the underlying theorizing mechanism explicit and testable. This study also provides practical indications of concrete interventions by managers to make risk attitudes converge and then strengthen safety risk management. The thesis contributes to multi-level analysis in the management research field and differentiates the different levels of participants in construction projects. Methodological pluralism and blended qualitative and quantitative research methods will be addressed to demonstrate the different and complementary perspectives of research. Due to limited samples, the generalizability of the findings in the different project types or across other levels needs to be further verified.<br>published_or_final_version<br>Real Estate and Construction<br>Doctoral<br>Doctor of Philosophy

Дисертація на здобуття наукового ступеня доктора філософії за спеціальністю 073 – Менеджмент (07 – Управління та адміністрування). – Національний технічний університет «Харківський політехнічний інститут», Міністерство освіти і науки України, Харків, 2020 р. З дисертацією можна ознайомитись у бібліотеці Національного технічного університету «Харківський політехнічний інститут» за адресою: 61202, м. Харків, вул. Кирпичова, 2. У дисертаційній роботі розкрито теоретичні засади та науково- методичні підходи до вдосконалення системи управління взаємовідносинами між стейкхолдерами на промисловому підприємстві. У першому розділі дисертаційної роботи систематизовано науковий досвід на теорію стейкхолдерів, групи та інтереси стейкхолдерів щодо можливості їхнього врахування під час управління взаємовідносинами з ними на підприємстві. Встановлено, що під стейкхолдером варто розуміти фізичну або юридичну особу з якою взаємодіє підприємство та яке здатне вплинути на досягнення цілей його діяльності, склад ресурсів або стратегію. Узагальнено теоретичні положення та розкрито зміст управління взаємовідносинами зі стейкхолдерами із позицій системного підходу. Визначено, що складовими системи управління взаємовідносинами зі стейкхолдерами є мета, об’єкт та суб’єкт, принципи, функції, методи, інструменти, спеціалізовані інформаційні системи, нормативно-правове забезпечення. Обґрунтовано, що процес управління взаємовідносинами зі стейкхолдерами складається з етапів: визначення цілей управління взаємовідносинами зі стейкхолдерами, ідентифікація стейкхолдерів, пріоритизація, формування стратегії зростання задоволеності інтересів стейкхолдера, реалізація розроблених стратегій зростання задоволеності інтересів стейкхолдера, оцінка рівня задоволеності інтересів стейкхолдерів. У другому розділі дисертаційної роботи здійснено ідентифікацію та пріоритизацію ключових стейкхолдерів кондитерської промисловості, зокрема виділено такі групи стейкхолдерів підприємства кондитерської промисловості, як: персонал, власники, інвестори та кредитори, клієнти, постачальники, держава та регулюючі організації, конкуренти, наукові організації, суспільні професійні організації, суспільні організації та місцеві громади, засоби масової інформації. Досліджено передумови розвитку кондитерської промисловості України. Розроблено науково-методичний підхід і обґрунтовано систему показників оцінки задоволеності економічних інтересів ключових стейкхолдерів у підприємствах кондитерської промисловості. На прикладі сформованої вибіркової сукупності з 13 підприємств кондитерської промисловості України встановлено, що жодне підприємство за досліджуваний період не змогло задовольнити економічні інтереси своїх стейкхолдерів. Оцінено рівень задоволеності соціальних та екологічних інтересів ключових стейкхолдерів на підприємствах кондитерської промисловості на основі розроблених анкет (листів опитування). Визначено, що досліджувані підприємства кондитерської промисловості різною мірою задовольняють соціальні та екологічні інтереси стейкхолдерів, а недостатня увага до реалізації цих інтересів може призвести до виникнення конфліктів і, залежно від міри впливу стейкхолдера, зруйнувати репутацію підприємства. У третьому розділі дисертаційної роботи здійснено комплексну оцінку задоволеності інтересів стейкхолдерів підприємства кондитерської промисловості за трикомпонентним показником, який враховує задоволення економічних, соціальних та екологічних інтересів стейкхолдерів підприємств кондитерської промисловості. За результатами комплексної оцінки задоволеності інтересів стейкхолдерів підприємств кондитерської промисловості найбільш незадоволеною групою стейкхолдерів є власники, інтереси яких задовольняються меншою мірою, а найбільш задоволеним стейкхолдером є держава. Обґрунтовано вибір стратегій зростання задоволеності інтересів стейкхолдерів підприємства кондитерської промисловості на основі використання матриці задоволеності інтересів стейкхолдерів. Сформовано організаційно-економічні засади вибору стратегій поліпшення взаємодії між власниками та іншими ключовими стейкхолдерами підприємства кондитерської промисловості. Розроблено рекомендації щодо забезпечення ефективності взаємовідносин із ключовими стейкхолдерами підприємства кондитерської промисловості. Наукова новизна проведеного дослідження полягає в розвитку теоретичних положень та розробці науково обґрунтованих рекомендацій щодо управління взаємовідносинами зі стейкхолдерами на промисловому підприємстві. Удосконалено науково-методичний підхід до вибору стратегій зростання задоволеності інтересів стейкхолдерів підприємства кондитерської промисловості, що на відміну від існуючих положень, ґрунтується на трикомпонентному показнику рівня задоволеності економічних, соціальних і екологічних інтересів стейкхолдерів промислових підприємств, матричному співставленні задоволення їхніх первинних і вторинних інтересів і дозволяє обґрунтувати тип поведінки підприємства залежно від типу задоволеності його стейкхолдерів. Удосконалено науково-методичний підхід до оцінки задоволеності економічних інтересів стейкхолдерів підприємства кондитерської промисловості, який на відміну від існуючих, базується на системі відносних показників кількісної оцінки та побудові матриці задоволення економічних інтересів держави, персоналу, власників, інвесторів, клієнтів, постачальників та інших стейкхолдерів підприємств кондитерської промисловості. Розроблено класифікацію груп стейкхолдерів, яка, на відміну від існуючих, включає такі ознаки: за розташуванням відносно меж підприємства, характером впливу, відношенням до діяльності підприємства, залежно від спроможності підприємства обирати суб’єктів для взаємодії, за класом значущості, місцем знаходження (функціонування), тривалістю взаємодії, рівнем задоволеності, рівнем підтримки. Удосконалено визначення поняття стейкхолдер, яке на відміну від інших, робить акцент на вплив об’єктів управління на мету, ресурси та стратегію підприємства, зокрема це фізична або юридична особа з якою взаємодіє підприємство та яке здатне вплинути на досягнення цілей його діяльності, склад ресурсів або стратегію. Удосконалено концептуальні положення системного підходу до управління взаємовідносинами зі стейкхолдерами, що відрізняються змістом, об’єктами, цілями й завданнями, принципами, підходами, методами управління, інформаційними системами, а також етапами управління та в сукупності дозволяють сформувати теоретичне підґрунтя такого управління на промислових підприємствах. Набуло розвитку обґрунтування стратегій задоволення інтересів власників та інших груп стейкхолдерів на основі типізації зацікавлених сторін за залежністю від підприємства (владний, взаємозалежний, малозалежний, підвладний) та їхнього позиціювання в матриці «власники – інші стейкхолдери» з метою визначення доцільного типу поведінки підприємства щодо задоволення інтересів ключових стейкхолдерів. Практичне значення отриманих результатів. Основні положення дисертації доведено до рівня методичних узагальнень і прикладного інструментарію, що дає можливість керівництву підприємств кондитерської промисловості приймати обґрунтовані управлінські рішення щодо взаємовідносин зі стейкхолдерами. Практичне значення мають такі розробки: науково-методичний підхід до оцінки задоволеності економічних інтересів стейкхолдерів підприємства кондитерської промисловості; система показників кількісної оцінки задоволеності економічних інтересів стейкхолдерів підприємства кондитерської промисловості; науково-методичний підхід до вибору стратегій зростання задоволеності інтересів стейкхолдерів підприємства кондитерської промисловості. Науково-методичні підходи до оцінки задоволеності економічних інтересів стейкхолдерів підприємства кондитерської промисловості та до вибору стратегій зростання задоволеності інтересів стейкхолдерів підприємства кондитерської промисловості були впроваджені в практичну діяльність ПрАТ «Харків’янка» (довідка № 13–09 від 05.09.2019 р.).<br>Thesis is submitted for obtaining scientific degree of Doctor of Philosophy, speciality 073 – Management (07 – Management and administration). – National Technical University «Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute», Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, Kharkiv, 2020. The thesis is available at the Library of National Technical University «Kharkiv Polytechnic Institute» at 61002, Kharkiv, Kirpichova str., 2. The theoretical foundations and scientific and methodological approaches to the management system improvement of relations between stakeholders at an industrial enterprise are developed in the thesis. The first section of the thesis systematizes scientific experience on the stakeholder theory, groups and interests of stakeholders regarding the possibility of taking them into account during managing relationships with them at the enterprise. It is established that stakeholder is individual or legal entity with whom an enterprise interacts and which can influence on the enterprise goals achievement, its resources or strategy. Theoretical provisions are summarized and the content of stakeholder relationship management from the standpoint of systematic approach is revealed. It is determined that the components of the stakeholder relationship management system are the purpose, object and subject, principles, functions, methods, tools, specialized information systems, regulatory support. It is substantiated that the process of stakeholder relationships managing consists of the stages: defining the goals of stakeholder relationships managing, stakeholders identifying, prioritizing, forming the strategy of stakeholders interests’ satisfaction increasing, implementing the developed strategies for stakeholders interests satisfaction level increasing, stakeholders interests satisfaction level assessment. The second section of the thesis contains the identification and prioritization of key confectionery industry stakeholders; in particular, such confectionery industry stakeholder groups are identified: personnel, owners, investors and creditors, clients, suppliers, state and regulatory organizations, competitors, community organizations and local communities, media. Prerequisites for the development of the confectionery industry in Ukraine are studied. The scientific and methodical approach is developed and the system of indices of key stakeholders’ economic interests’ satisfaction assessment in the confectionery industry is substantiated. On the example of the formed sample from 13 enterprises of the Ukrainian confectionery industry, it is found that no enterprise during the studied period was able to satisfy the economic interests of its stakeholders. The level of satisfaction of social and environmental interests of key stakeholders at confectionery enterprises was assessed on the base of developed questionnaires. It is found that the confectionery industry studied enterprises satisfy the social and environmental interests of the stakeholders to different extent, and insufficient attention to the realization of these interests may lead to conflicts and, depending on the extent of stakeholder influence, damage the enterprise reputation. The third section of the thesis includes complex assessment of the confectionery industry stakeholders’ interests satisfaction according to the threecomponent indicator which takes into account the satisfaction of the economic, social and environmental interests of the confectionery industry stakeholders. According to the results of the confectionery industry stakeholder interests’ satisfaction complex assessment, the most dissatisfied stakeholders group is owners, whose interests are less satisfied, and the state is the most satisfied stakeholder. The choice of strategies for the confectionery industry stakeholders’ interests’ satisfaction increasing on the base of the stakeholders interests satisfaction matrix use is substantiated. The organizational and economic principles of choosing strategies for improving the interaction between the owners and other key stakeholders of the confectionery industry are formed. Recommendations are developed for providing relationships effectiveness with key stakeholders in the confectionery industry. The scientific novelty of the conducted research is the development of theoretical provisions and scientifically grounded recommendations for the management of relationships with stakeholders at an industrial enterprise. Scientific and methodological approach to the choice of strategies for increasing the satisfaction of stakeholders’ interests in the confectionery industry is improved, which, unlike the existing provisions, is based on the three-component index of the satisfaction level of economic, social and environmental interests of industrial enterprises stakeholders, matrix comparison of their primary and secondary interests and allows substantiation of the enterprise behavior type depending on the type of its stakeholders satisfaction. Scientific and methodological approach to the assessment of the economic interests of the confectionery industry enterprise stakeholders is improved, which, unlike the existing ones, is based on the relative indices system of quantitative assessment and the construction of economic interests satisfaction matrix of the state, staff, owners, investors, customers, suppliers and other stakeholders of the confectionery industry. The stakeholder groups classification is developed, which, unlike the existing ones, includes the following features: by location relative to the enterprise’s boundaries, influence nature, attitude to the enterprise’s activity, depending on the enterprise ability to choose interaction subjects, by significance class, location (functioning), interaction duration, satisfaction level, support level. The stakeholder definition is improved which, unlike other ones, emphasizes the influence of management objects on the purpose, resources and strategy of the enterprise, in particular the natural or legal person with whom the enterprise interacts and which can influence on the enterprise activity goals achievement, its resources composition or strategy. The conceptual provisions of the systematic approach to stakeholders’ relationships management is improved, which differ in content, objects, goals and objectives, principles, approaches, management methods, information systems, as well as management stages and in aggregate, allow forming the theoretical basis of such management at the industrial enterprises. The substantiation of interests satisfaction strategies of owners and other stakeholders groups is developed on the base of stakeholders typification depending on the enterprise (power-holding, interdependent, not dependent, subordinate) and their positioning in the matrix «owners – other stakeholders» in order to determine the appropriate type of behavior in relation to the key stakeholders interests satisfaction. The obtained results practical significance. The main thesis provisions are brought to the level of methodical generalizations and applied tools, which allows the confectionery industry management to make grounded management decisions regarding the relations with stakeholders. The following developments are of practical importance: scientific and methodological approach to the stakeholders’ economic interests’ satisfaction assessing in the confectionery industry; quantification indices system of stakeholders economic interests satisfaction in the confectionery industry; scientific and methodological approach to the choice of strategies for increasing stakeholders economic interests satisfaction in the confectionery industry. Scientific and methodological approaches to the stakeholders economic interests satisfaction assessing and the choice of strategies for increasing stakeholders economic interests satisfaction in the confectionery industry were implemented in the practical activity of PrJSC «Kharkivyanka» (reference № 13-09 dated 05/09/2019).

Thesis: S.M. in Engineering and Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of Engineering, System Design and Management Program, Engineering and Management Program, 2016.<br>Cataloged from PDF version of thesis.<br>Includes bibliographical references (pages 79-81).<br>Stakeholder relationship management is a key component for the successful design, implementation and operation of complex and socially controversial projects, yet a discipline that is often misunderstood or underrated. In a world were socially controversial projects have become and will continue to be ever more frequent and important, the need to improve the knowledge of stakeholder relationship management in controversial projects is very important. The objective of this report is to contribute to scholarship on stakeholder relationship management by using a newly developed system dynamics model developed at MIT called, the Golay-Williams stakeholder acceptance model. The model seeks to better illustrate complex stakeholder relationships, their dynamic nature and what must be done to gain enough support to ensure project success. This paper studies an emblematic U.S. controversial project, the Cape Wind offshore energy project, located in the Nantucket Sound in Massachusetts, in order to test the model capabilities to represent complex stakeholder dynamics and best practices in stakeholder engagement. The assessment of the Golay-Williams model derived from the Cape Wind Project case study, suggests that the Golay-Williams model can contribute significantly to the successful management of stakeholder relationships on socially controversial projects..<br>by Sebastián Luque.<br>S.M. in Engineering and Management

Large multi-national corporations experience more and more pressure to maintain good relationships with their stakeholders, including employees. Concurrent with this, the focus of Corporate Communication management has shifted from pure communication management to relationship management. Lonmin Platinum, a mining company within the South African mining and minerals sector is no exception in this regard. In fact, due to the apartheid legacy and government regulations that are aimed at safety and equity, it is especially difficult to manage employee relationships in the mining industry. Apart from historical and environmental factors, Lonmin Platinum's task is further complicated by its diverse work-force. At the time of the study the work-force of approximately 20 000 employees consisted of literate, semiliterate and illiterate employees. In addition, the company comprised five business units, each with their own corporate identity. In order to manage relationships effectively, a company needs to understand the nature and quality of its relationships as well as which factors might influence its stakeholder relationships. Studies have already indicated that a company's corporate identity can contribute to the stakeholders' images of the company. Over time, the image impacts on the company's reputation and consequently on the stakeholders' relationships with the company. In the case of a company such as Lonmin Platinum, with an endorsed corporate identity, it can be expected that corporate identity will also play a role in the nature and quality of relationships, including employee relationships. Previous studies have investigated the link between corporate identity and relationships focussing on communication, and on behaviour elements of identity. Up until now, no examples of research of the possible influence of symbolic corporate identity elements on relationships in the South African mining industry could be traced. Against this background, the following research question was asked: What is the relationship between employees' perceptions of symbolic corporate identity elements and employer-employee relationships at Lonmin Platinum? Semi-structured interviews, focus group interviews and quantitative questionnaires were applied as data collection methods. The results confirmed that Lonmin Platinum did not have a good relationship with its employees in general. The lack of trust was seen as one of the most apparent problems. It also seemed that the employees did not understand the company's endorsed corporate identity. They, for example, did not understand the company structure and identified themselves more with the symbolic corporate identity of their respective business units than with the company itself. With regard to the correlation between symbolic corporate identity and relationships, this study indicated a relationship between employees' perceptions of how effective the company reached it objectives and the quality of its employee relationships. Company objectives, such as a safe working environment, a healthy working environment, socioeconomic empowerment and accountability, as well as a company that unites its workforce and creates a family feeling amongst the employees impacted most on employee relationships.<br>Thesis (Ph.D. (Communication Studies))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

In an increasingly connected world, Strategic Relationship Management is a vital capability for successful organizations. The book Managing Authentic Relationships; Facing New Challenges in a Changing Context focuses on building and managing a strong network and reciprocal relationships for the entire organization by implementing a professional relationship management approach at strategic, tactical and operational level. Professional relationship management makes valuable and measurable contributions to the strategic goals of an organization by: Expanding the organization's strategy to a Relationship Management Strategy; Efficiently managing relationships and correctly mapping stakeholders; Embedding clear responsibility for relationship management throughout the organization; Measuring results and calculating the Return-on-Relationship; Developing strong networking skills and networkers who are able to act as eyes and ears for the organization; Organizing effective networking activities with measurable results. This book also offers a holistic view. Managing authentic relationships requires a shared understanding of what relationships are. It is impossible to develop successful relationship management without authentic relationships based on trust and reciprocity.

Protocol to Manage Relationships Today explains the contemporary value of protocol, not only for monarchies or diplomatic institutes, but for any non-profit or for-profit organisation. This book presents modern protocol as a tool to build strong, authentic networks of reciprocal relationships. When used effectively protocol can: - Increase the effect of the networking activities of an organisation. Protocol gives a professional structure to relationship management, to achieve access to the 'right' networks and a reciprocal relationship with the most valued stakeholders. - Deepen relationships. In our world there is so much focus on pragmatism in building relationships - protocol focuses on the common ground to gain value. - Be used as a valuable tool in a post COVID-19 era, where the need for space and time to build real and authentic relationships is well understood. The book defines how tested values perfectly fit in today's society, where modern organisations want to build effective relationships and communities. This book is focused on developing an increasingly vital expertise for professionals who deal with complex relationship management issues on a strategic and tactical operational level. They come from different fields, such as government institutions, non-profit organisations and commercial environments. This book also gives protocol officers a contemporary approach towards the application of protocol. It is not designed as a complete guide to all the rules of protocol, but it describes how to translate the context into a tailor-made protocol for each meeting or event. The book explains protocol as a flexible method to handle unique situations. Protocol is presented on four levels: the 'why' of protocol; the strategic and tactical level; the practical implementation; and the execution of protocol. Protocol to Manage Relationships Today is written by Europe's foremost protocol experts with collective years of experience with the management of networking meetings and events at the highest level.

The textbook systematizes basic knowledge in the field of finance, financial analysis and financial management, presented in their direct relationship and significance from the point of view of evaluation, diagnosis, forecasting and monitoring of the continuity of the organization's activities. It includes seven chapters grouped into three sections. The first section is devoted to the theoretical foundations of the organization's financial management, stakeholders and sources of the organization's activities. The second section discusses the basics of financial analysis, providing knowledge of the main directions, information base and methods of financial analysis, as well as allowing them to be applied reasonably, calculate and evaluate analytical indicators, determine the impact of globalization processes, various macro-and microfactors on the financial condition of the organization. The third section contains the basics of financial management, providing an understanding of the essence of the financial mechanism of the organization and algorithms for justifying decisions in the field of financial management.&#x0D; It complies with the federal state educational standards of higher education of the latest generation and provides the formation of basic competencies in the field of finance, financial management and financial analysis.&#x0D; For bachelor's, specialist's and master's students studying in the field of Economics, the system of additional professional education, training centers for advanced training of auditors and other financial market specialists, as well as for individual preparation of applicants for qualification certification and passing qualification exams.

AbstractThis chapter contains the final stakeholder analysis. It showcases the key actors involved in testing and deploying automated minibuses for public transport in European cities. This assessment helps construct a strategic overview of the expectations, needs, and impacts of the stakeholders and the connections between them. This stakeholder analysis relied on qualitative methods and involved four steps. As a first step, an initial stakeholder scan was conducted. Through a literature review, including both academic and grey literature, and stakeholder mapping techniques, the main stakeholder groups were defined. The second step involved semi-structured interviews to gain a thorough understanding of the objections, perceptions, and information-seeking behaviour of these stakeholder groups. In the third step, a content analysis of the interviews was conducted, which led to the depiction of six key themes. The initial three steps are centred on conducting an analysis at the EU level. The fourth step took a project-level perspective. A literature review and expert interviews were conducted to determine the main relations and themes for the AVENUE ecosystem, based on which the AVENUE stakeholder and mobility services map was developed. The analysis delivers valuable findings: The AVENUE-centred map shows that automated minibuses are expected to be integrated into a multi- and intermodal mobility system and offered as Mobility as a Service (MaaS). There is a need for collective action to settle one legal framework and specific guidelines for automated vehicles (AV) within the EU. Finally, the integration of AV into the mobility system must be promoted in synergy with the goals of Sustainable Urban Mobility Planning (SUMP). The stakeholder map at EU level demonstrates that not all actors possess equal influence on the advancement of automated minibuses in urban public transportation systems. Primary actors comprise city governments, public transport operators (PTO), manufacturers, software developers, the European Union, and citizens/end-users. The relationship between the city government and the PTO is central. The strategy presents key recommendations for stakeholders, such as: More emphasis should be given to the crucial role of the government and the legal framework in the deployment of automated minibuses. PTOs need more support from the local government, and they should reach out to other key stakeholders such as NGOs and policymakers. A MaaS platform should be operated in collaboration with private and public partners. There should be active involvement from citizens and civil society; this is done through strategic tools for citizens’ participation and inclusion in the debate about AV in general. For AVENUE and similar projects, it is important to involve stakeholders such as civil society organizations, e.g. as driver unions and environmental NGOs. Also, they need to cooperate more with city governments and focus on user-centric services and not only technological achievements.

AbstractLarge infrastructure projects are significant for societal and economic development, involving different types of infrastructure and many stakeholders. This chapter outlines the stages of the project life cycle, emphasizing the importance of stakeholder engagement at all stages for successful project outcomes. The stages include initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and control, and closure, each with defined objectives, outcomes, and decision-making activities. Due to the complexity of infrastructure projects, effective stakeholder relationship management is essential. The chapter emphasizes the need for continuous communication, strategic engagement, and proactive risk management to align project objectives with stakeholder interests. Case studies and literature reviews show how stakeholder participation improves project performance, sustainability, and societal impact. The findings highlight the importance of integrating stakeholder perspectives to achieve effective project management and meet performance indicators, ultimately leading to successful project implementation and long-term societal benefits. In order to characterize the role of stakeholders, mutual relations and obstacles to the implementation of the circular economy outside the European Union, the case of Albania, which will soon become a potential member state of the European Union, is analyzed. The problems with the involvement of interested parties in the implementation of the infrastructure project and the benefits and obstacles are similar for both the member state of the European Union and the countries that are just about to become one.

AbstractStakeholder networks in the circular economy (CE) address sustainable production and consumption within a regenerative system. Thus, studying stakeholder interactions within these networks provides essential insight into action urgently required to help businesses foster more harmony between human activity and nature. However, management literature on CE lacks an appropriate analytical lens on stakeholder engagement. To overcome this gap, we conducted a systematic literature review that integrated qualitative content analysis of management research on CE to untangle the complexity of stakeholder interactions in CE. We identify specific aims, activities, and impacts of stakeholder engagement in CE according to their moral, strategic, and pragmatic components. Pragmatic stakeholder engagement dominates our sample, but the research illustrates that embracing moral and strategic stakeholder engagement is equally vital to leveraging stakeholder relationship synergies in CE. Our categorisation of stakeholder engagement in CE provides an overview for researchers and managers and points to the value of the underlying stakeholder network logic for collaboratively addressing environmental challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss. Correspondingly, we enhance understanding of the intersection of stakeholder engagement with CE management literature and provide an agenda for future research.

Purpose – the purpose of this paper is to propose a method for integral assessing the priority level of specific stakeholders in the model of stakeholder management. Research methodology – the paper develops ideas of matrix approach to assessing the priority level of individual stakeholders and proposes a method for obtaining more accurate integral assessment based on analysis of a set of indicators, taking into account factors of subjective estimates. Findings – the integral assessment of the priority level of specific external stakeholders improves estimates’ accuracy and provides a practical framework for the development of successful corporate social responsibility strategies. It has been substantiated by the application of the proposed method for prioritising suppliers of a large Ukranian metallurgical company. Research limitations – there are requirements for a linear or quasi-linear nature of the relationship between the numerical value of the stakeholder’s priority index and its interpretation on a “better to worse” scale within the framework of the proposed method of evaluation. Practical implications – integral assessments of stakeholder priority obtained from the results of the proposed method can be used as a tool for reasonable comparison, selection of strategic stakeholders and building programs for interaction with them. Originality/Value – unlike most existing methods of stakeholder analysis representing a generic list of priority stakeholder groups the method proposed in the paper provides an integral assessment of priority level of specific stakeholders from the category of the immediate environment through a system of indicators, taking into account factors of subjectivity

Megaprojects need to consider a broader set of stakeholders, including external stakeholders. Although this dyadic relationship between the project organization and stakeholders has been widely adopted and is used in stakeholder management studies, the number of studies that incorporate a network view on stakeholders is considerably lower. The quantitative barriers create measurement challenges in understanding the dynamics of relationships among stakeholders in a broader network. To have sufficient observations to conduct empirical studies, one must map the structure of relationships among a large number of relationships among broader stakeholders and assess the level of conflict or cooperation of those ties. In this paper, we propose a method to generate a set of quantitative measures about the structure of relationships among stakeholders and megaprojects. We utilize English-language media articles stored in the Dow Jones Factiva database and apply natural language processing techniques to identify their stakeholders of them and construct a panel dataset of relationships among them. Drawing from methods to analyze social networks, we also construct an undirected graph to describe the stakeholder network of given megaprojects.

The identification and management of value demands of stakeholders who fulfil their social responsibility is the key to improving the governance effects of megaprojects. The purpose of this study is to identify and analyse the value demands of key stakeholders who fulfil social responsibility in megaprojects and their network relationships to construct a value map. A total of 214 articles were extracted from the Web of Science and Scopus databases through a comprehensive exploratory literature search. Through screening and extending, 49 articles were collated as target literature for analysis. Value demand of stakeholders in megaprojects social responsibility is identified. The value map shows that multiple value demands can coexist based on the network relationships between stakeholders and tend to benefit balance. The generation and realization of value demands are largely affected by the network relationships. The multiple, reciprocal, iterative and fluid relation among network relationships and value demands further bring about dynamic evolution in the entire value map. This study helps participants perceive the value demands of each party and the network relationship among them in megaprojects. The value map provides guidance for the rational allocation and effective motivation of social responsibility in practice.

This report critically examines the nature of the distinction between traditional inter-state diplomacy and sustainable development diplomacy. It then sets out the institutional changes which are necessary for the achievement of sustainable development diplomacy. Multi-stakeholder partnerships have been identified as a key means of implementation for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Given the increasing centrality of the United States (US)–China relationship in global development cooperation, understanding the modalities of their engagement may provide useful insights into how partnerships may be cultivated and deepened to realise the SDGs. The Covid-19 pandemic and climate change have demonstrated the interconnection of the world, as well as the interconnection of challenges of the world. Sustainable development diplomacy is needed now more than ever to prioritise development strategies of different states and work on common shared challenges. Sustainable development diplomacy can only work when different actors recognise the value of the common goals and are willing to make an effort to accomplish them. Global sustainable development diplomacy requires a stronger policy agenda and greater cohesion. This report explores the idea of sustainable development diplomacy and, through two sectoral case studies, explores the nature, function, and rationale for interactive engagement. The form and structure of multi-actor relationships are a response to complex, trans-border political, social, economic, and environmental challenges which require a more nuanced and varied management approach than narrowly defined state-led development. However, the power dynamics, the modalities, and experiences of engagement that underpin these dynamic relationships, remain understudied, especially with regard to their impact on sustainable development.

Formal models are indispensable tools in natural resource management and in conservation biology. Explicit modeling can be a helpful tool for studying these systems, communicating across disciplines, and integrating varying viewpoints of numerous stakeholders. This module demonstrates how to explicitly construct models as alternative representations to help interpret and understand nature. Through a synthesis and two exercises, it describes the general context of scientific modeling (i.e., use and types of models), and allows students to practice building a model by evaluating the relationship between rabbit and fox population dynamics - from stating the problem, constructing a dynamic hypothesis, and formulating and testing the model.

The paper examines how corporate social responsibility and corporate governance systems affect the wellbeing of East European countries. Corporate governance is the system of forms and methods used for a company's governance. Inspecting the relationship between corporate governance and corporate social responsibility considers the opinions of different stakeholders about the development and administration of a company's portfolio. A wide range of scientific publications define and study theoretically the issues surrounding corporate governance structure, models, control, audit system, and management quality inside the organization. Businesses that practice corporate social responsibility make a deliberate effort to conduct their operations in a way that improves society and the environment rather than degrades it. In addition to enhancing societal aspects, corporate social responsibility can assist businesses in projecting a positive image in the improvement of other environmental issues in East European countries. ‍

Marine spatial planning is growing in use as a tool to aid management efforts in coastal and ocean systems. In this exercise, we briefly review the history and rationale behind marine spatial planning and consider its relationship to and use in ecosystem-based management. We then outline an activity that introduces students to marine spatial planning through the use of SeaSketch (http://training-barbuda.seasketch.org). SeaSketch is a web-based program that allows users to create, analyze, and compare how marine protected areas and networks contribute to achieving conservation goals. Building on the use of SeaSketch to engage stakeholders in the creation of reserve networks off the island of Barbuda, students use a SeaSketch training environment to create networks of marine protected areas that meet habitat protection goals and consider how these networks impact local species and human fishing value. After creating and analyzing individual networks, students engage in small- and large-group discussions to consider and compare alternative plans and decide on final choices. At each of these levels, students can compare their chosen plans to the zoning regulations that were approved in Barbuda. A supplementary PowerPoint presentation accompanies the exercise.

The State Highway Operation and Protection Program (SHOPP) is crucial for maintaining California’s 15,000-mile state highway system, which includes projects like pavement rehabilitation, bridge repair, safety enhancements, and traffic management systems. Administered by Caltrans, SHOPP aims to preserve highway efficiency and safety, supporting economic growth and public safety. This research aimed to develop robust cost-estimating models to improve budgeting and financial planning, aiding Caltrans, the California Transportation Commission (CTC), and the Legislature. The research team collected and refined comprehensive data from Caltrans project expenditures from 1983 to 2021, ensuring a high-quality dataset. Subject matter experts validated the data, enhancing its reliability. Two models were developed: a statistical model using exponential regression to account for non-linear cost growth, and an AI model employing neural networks to handle complex relationships in the data. Model performance was evaluated based on accuracy and reliability through repeated testing and validation. Key findings indicated that the new models significantly improved the precision of cost forecasts, reducing the variance between predicted and actual project costs. This advancement minimizes budget overruns and enhances resource allocation efficiency. Additionally, leveraging historical data with current market trends refined the models’ predictive power, boosting stakeholder confidence in project budgeting and financial planning. The study’s innovative approach, integrating machine learning and big data analytics, transforms traditional estimation practices and serves as a reference for other state highway programs. Continuous improvement and broader application of these models are recommended to further enhance cost estimation accuracy and support informed decision-making in transportation infrastructure management.

Food hypersensitivity is an increasing problem for many stakeholders with much effort focused on assessment and management of the risks including risk assessment toolkits (for example, the Allergen Bureau (Opens in a new window) Voluntary Incidental Trace Allergen Labelling VITAL®, the iFAAM consortium (Opens in a new window) and the ILSI-Europe Allergen Quantitative Risk Assessment guidance (Opens in a new window)). These toolkits describe the use of action levels and reference doses to assess the risks. A combination of the estimated eliciting dose of allergenic food, (in milligrams as protein) and the amount of food consumed in a single eating occasion can give a threshold or action level as milligrams (as protein) per kilogram (kg) of food) (mg kg-1 as protein) that would provoke an reaction in a given proportion of the allergic population. The eliciting dose is extrapolated from oral food clinical dose-distribution relationships. The results of analysis can be compared to the thresholds or action levels in risk assessment and risk management. Precautionary allergen labelling, well recognized as sub-optimal, could also be improved via an action level approach. Implementation and regulation depend on the ability to measure allergens properly; yet all current analytical approaches exhibit deficiencies, many of which can be addressed by the proper use of appropriate allergen reference materials (RMs). This report describes a pilot project to: 1) Systematically review allergen analytical targets used in ELISA, PCR and MS to allow the creation of a repository of reliable markers and open access verified allergen sequence sets for the studied allergens; 2) Facilitate a guided stakeholder workshop to achieve consensus on priority allergens, physical format of RMs, incurred concentrations and impact of processing; 3) Prepare a RM kit containing (a) a food matrix shown to be devoid of the target allergens, (b) the food matrix incurred with 5 allergens and (c) the raw materials (the allergenic foods); 4) Disseminate to encourage RM use to achieve tangible improvements in allergen analysis, establish a template of best practice for the future and make recommendations for follow up work to complete a set of RMs for the legislated and priority allergens. The RM matrix is based on that used for clinical dose-distribution studies and the raw allergen materials have been characterised by proteomics. The matrix and incurred allergens are industrially relevant to processed foods and the allergen concentrations are clinically relevant in the light of eliciting dose studies. The RM kit has been prepared following a well-established process that includes prescribed homogeneity and stability studies and a formal sign-off procedure of the statements of measurement, in accordance with ISO 17034:2016 ‘General requirements for the competence of reference material producers’ (an updated standard originally ISO GUIDE 34:2009). In October 2020 following detailed external assessment the RM kit was confirmed within the NML scope of ISO 17034 accreditation. ISO 17034:2016 covers the production of all reference materials, including certified reference materials. It is intended as part of the general quality assurance procedures of the reference material producer. LGC formed a consortium which was awarded this project by the FSA following an open competitive tender. The consortium consisted of LGC, the University of Manchester and Romer Laboratories Ltd. The consortium is world leading in (a) the preparation, curation and distribution of RMs in an accredited environment and (b) the characterisation of allergen proteins. Synergy with other concurrent work (for example, by iFAAM, EFSA, ILSI, MoniQA, JRC, and AOAC) has ensured value for money. This report has been compiled from a review of a broad range of data sources including: the scientific literature the tender documents progress reports and minutes of project meetings LGC internal documents and in particular the Material Report[1] UoM reports Romer Lab reports.