Stakeholder relationships in a non-profit network organization - case : European Business Ethics Network
Inha, Maria (2015)
2015
Kauppatieteiden maisteriopinnot - Master's Programme in Business Studies
Johtamiskorkeakoulu - School of Management
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Hyväksymispäivämäärä
2015-06-25
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:uta-201507292177
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:uta-201507292177
Tiivistelmä
This Master’s thesis studies the stakeholder relationships of a non-profit network organization, the European Business Ethics Network (EBEN). The objective of this study is to gain insight on stakeholder relationships that exist between a non-profit network organization and its stakeholders. The research aims to identify the case organization’s stakeholders, describe the relationships between the actors and analyze the issues that the stakeholders advocate.
The research is carried out by conducting a qualitative case study of the organization. The research data is collected from semi-structured interviews, open-ended surveys and internal documents, which are then analyzed in an abductive nature using methods of content analysis. The theoretical framework of the study focuses on the stakeholder theory and the elements of stakeholder analysis. The theoretical framework identifies four important elements of stakeholder analysis: stakeholder interests, dependencies between the organization and its stakeholders, relationship contributions and stakeholder advocated issues. These elements are used to guide the analysis process.
The findings of the research are presented as four propositions. (1) The stakeholders of a non-profit network may be classified by their contribution to the stakeholder relationship, attributes of power and influence and by their size and level of activity. (2) The interests of non-profit network stakeholders are projected onto the objectives of the network organization. (3) Non-profit network stakeholder relationship contributions are mostly intangible and include knowledge, ideas, networking, financial resources and an input of voluntary work. (4) The issues that are advocated by the stakeholders of a non-profit network emphasize the practical operations of the organization. Issue salience may be evaluated by the level of deviation in the stakeholder perceptions.
This study contributes to the body of stakeholder literature by describing stakeholder relationships and their dimensions in the context of non-profit network organizations. The study concludes in proposing that due to the congruent interests of stakeholders, stakeholder relationships in a non-profit network organization contribute substantially to the agenda that is promoted by the whole organization.
The research is carried out by conducting a qualitative case study of the organization. The research data is collected from semi-structured interviews, open-ended surveys and internal documents, which are then analyzed in an abductive nature using methods of content analysis. The theoretical framework of the study focuses on the stakeholder theory and the elements of stakeholder analysis. The theoretical framework identifies four important elements of stakeholder analysis: stakeholder interests, dependencies between the organization and its stakeholders, relationship contributions and stakeholder advocated issues. These elements are used to guide the analysis process.
The findings of the research are presented as four propositions. (1) The stakeholders of a non-profit network may be classified by their contribution to the stakeholder relationship, attributes of power and influence and by their size and level of activity. (2) The interests of non-profit network stakeholders are projected onto the objectives of the network organization. (3) Non-profit network stakeholder relationship contributions are mostly intangible and include knowledge, ideas, networking, financial resources and an input of voluntary work. (4) The issues that are advocated by the stakeholders of a non-profit network emphasize the practical operations of the organization. Issue salience may be evaluated by the level of deviation in the stakeholder perceptions.
This study contributes to the body of stakeholder literature by describing stakeholder relationships and their dimensions in the context of non-profit network organizations. The study concludes in proposing that due to the congruent interests of stakeholders, stakeholder relationships in a non-profit network organization contribute substantially to the agenda that is promoted by the whole organization.