Diversity in Project Stakeholder Engagement: How Stakeholder Perceptions Shape Engagement Types in Megaprojects

Abstract

Megaprojects involve market and nonmarket stakeholders with diverse perceptions regarding whether the project is wanted or not. This study explores how the diversity of stakeholder perceptions of megaprojects affects stakeholder engagement in a forestry megaproject. Through qualitative analysis, wanted and unwanted megaproject frames are identified. These frames create positive, negative, one-sided, and opportunistic firm–stakeholder and interstakeholder relationships, which in turn shape stakeholder engagement types: collaborative, antagonistic, passive, and compromising. The findings expose how the diversity of stakeholder perceptions shapes stakeholder engagement types and reveal darker and more stakeholder-centric approaches to engagement. Thus, understanding diversity improves stakeholder engagement in megaprojects.