Stakeholder Theory: What Is It, Working, Benefits, Challenges, And More
Stakeholder theory is an ethical concept that stakeholders of a business need to follow to address outcomes of business, profits, trends, and more. The concept also includes the collective impact of the factors above on all stakeholders of the business. The stakeholders of a business include its shareholders, employees, customers, suppliers, financers, government, as well as other individuals and groups.
In this article, you will learn about the general details of stakeholder theory. Apart from that, you will also learn about how this theory works for businesses and their stakeholders. Furthermore, you will also learn about the major benefits and challenges of the stakeholder theory. We will describe each of the benefits and challenges for your better understanding. Hence, to learn more, read on through to the end of the article.
What Is Stakeholder Theory?
According to Investopedia,
“Stakeholder theory describes the composition of organizations as a collection of various individual groups with different interests. These interests, taken together, represent the will of the organization. As much as possible, business decisions should consider the interests of this collective group and advance overall cooperation.”
The stakeholder theory shows the importance of relationships between various stakeholders of a business entity. It also shows how the management of a business must view and manage stakeholders. It describes how the business must treat its stakeholders to make the most economic and social impact to achieving the best results. The target is to maximize the profit of the business and make a strong overall impact.
A business needs to consider the various differences in the priorities of stakeholders. This applies to stakeholders – both internal and external. Internal stakeholders include investors, employees, and owners. On the other hand, external stakeholders include the individuals and groups that are affected by the decisions of the company. These include creditors and suppliers.
An Example
Let’s take the help of an example to explain stakeholder theory. Consider a company where the management and shareholders are in a conflict. Here, the management might make a decision that might not necessarily enhance the value of a shareholder. This can create conflict with the interests of the shareholders.
In this case, the organization can choose performance-based compensation. This helps the organization to tie management incentives to the value of the shareholder. This is one way of addressing stakeholder theory. However, there are various other issues that the company might face. In this case, performance-based compensation will help in boosting short-term performance. This will lead to a negative effect in the company’s long-term growth.
How Does Stakeholder Theory Work?
R. Edward Freeman came up with the stakeholder theory in the year 1984. As per the theory, a business firm must create value for all stakeholders of the organization. Only thinking about the shareholders will not help a business in its growth.
According to Nerdwallet.com,
“When the concept matured, more people understood people’s relationships beyond, within, and outside the entity. The stakeholder theory of the firm brings together the concepts of market and resource utilization and its socio-political impact of it. It defines how managers should understand and treat the stakeholders so that stakeholders’ interests come above all other interests.”
Principles of Stakeholder Theory
There are mainly six main principles of the stakeholder theory:
- Principle of Entry & Exit:
- Principle of Externalities
- Principle of Agency
- Principle of Governance
- Principle of Contract Cost
- Principle of Limited Immortality
What Are The Major Benefits And Challenges Of Stakeholder Theory?
This theory works since it considers all the interests of the (business, project, and/or organization).
According to Indeed.com,
“This theory understands that motivated and invested stakeholders may produce better results for the business and help the organization achieve more ambitious goals. Occasionally, you can apply the theory to ethical concepts, such as responsibility to society, nature, and the future, besides profit maximization and shareholder value creation.”
The following are the major benefits and challenges of stakeholder theory:
Benefits
Here are the major benefits of stakeholder theory that will be advantageous for you:
- All the employees of your organization will benefit from it. As a result, you will see an increase in productivity, lower employee turnover, employee satisfaction, and improved mental health of employees. These factors will help the business in further talents for the company.
- You will have happier customers, which is essential for a business. If the business gets positive feedback from regular customers, they will become unpaid marketers for the products of the company. This helps in increasing the overall sales of the company.
- As the business’s cash flow grows, the finance providers of the company are assured of the company’s repaying capacity.
- Often, governments provide help to businesses that expand their operations to new areas of the country. Apart from that, it also helps the business to manage its cash flows in a better manner.
Challenges
Here are a few challenges of stakeholder theory that you need to be aware of:
- If a business follows stakeholder theory, it needs to care about all people who are affected by the business’s decisions. Often, a business puts less focus on the company’s shareholders.
- Since the shareholders have invested their money to maximize returns, the management has an obligation to keep the former’s interests as the main focus.
- It is hard (impossible) to fulfill the interests of everyone associated with the organization.
Bottom Line
Hope this article was helpful for you in getting a better understanding of stakeholder theory. This is an ethical concept where the business considers the interests of all its stakeholders. The business addresses the outcome, trends, profits, etc., associated with a business decision. The collective impact falls on the employees, shareholders, and all other stakeholders.
The stakeholder theory works as per its six principles. R. Edward Freeman was the first person to coin the term stakeholder theory and conceptualize it in his 1983 article. Do you have more information to add regarding this ethical theory in business management? Share your thoughts and opinions with us in the comments section below.
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A Physical Shop Or Online Store: What Is Better For Business?
There was a time when having a brick-and-mortar store was essential for anyone in business. To gain the trust of customers, it was imperative to invest in a physical store. However, things have changed a lot post-Covid-19 pandemic. Due to the epidemic disease and the lockdown, brick-and-mortar stores across the globe took a massive hit. In such trying times, online stores saw a massive boom. E-commerce websites like Amazon made record sales and subsequently, revenue. It was then businesses started digitizing. Are you looking to set up your own business? What do you have in mind? Are you going to set up a brick-and-mortar store? Or would you like to have an online store? Perhaps, a website or a social media page? In this article today, we're going to check out the pros and cons of physical shops and online stores. Hopefully, it will help you make the right decision. Pros And Cons Of Online Store As mentioned earlier, a lot of things have changed in the last two years. Most people now prefer buying things online. They order stuff online and get it delivered to their doorstep. It helps save people time and energy. An online store is all about user convenience. The more convenience you provide to your customers, the more they'll shop at your store and the higher would be your revenue. It's as simple as that. Not to mention, running an online store is easier than having a brick-and-mortar store. It doesn't require you to hire a lot of people. Instead, you invest in a website, a web designer (which is a one-time expense), and a VPS hosting service that keeps your website functional as well as payment gateways. Yes, incorporating a payment gateway into your website is a must when running an online store. Providing your customers with simple payment methods like credit or debit card payments, Apple Pay, and Payoneer can make them happily shop at your store. Also, don't forget to collaborate with a logistics company as getting the order delivered is also the responsibility of the online store. The only problem with an online store is the management of finances. It's not easy keeping a record of everything when it's all online. Also, many people question your credibility in case you don't have a physical address. It is something that often affects your sales. In other words, it takes some time to establish yourself as an online store and to make people start believing in your brand. Moreover, having a customer service department is a must when running an online store, and that too, with 24/7 availability like Amazon. If anything, it will help you gain your potential customer's trust. When they'll know that you're available to address their concerns, they'll shop more and more at your store. Pros And Cons Of A Physical Store Indeed, all the brick-and-mortar stores now have online stores as well but that doesn’t mean having a brick-and-mortar store is of no use. A brick-and-mortar is a must if you wish to gain your customers’ trust. They’ll know that you’re available to address their problems, so they’ll keep shopping at your brand. Besides that, many people prefer checking out things in person before investing in them. It is especially correct for fashion retailers and tech companies. Nobody wants to take chances with electronic gadgets, appliances, or clothes. Thus, people prefer trying them out before buying them. Well, it’s fair. After all, you’re spending your hard-earned money on all these things. However, one problem is that a brick-and-mortar store could be very expensive. In fact, it’s like an additional expense. It starts from renting a space to getting it designed and decorated and hiring employees. Not to mention, the monthly bills and salaries. Therefore, it isn’t a smart option for a small business or anyone who’s struggling with revenue. On the other hand, it does save you some money on customer service. You don’t have to hire people for 24/7 customer service. Simply add your working hours on your website or store billboard and let your customers know what time you’ll be able to take their questions and address their concerns. The great thing is that it won’t affect your business in any way. The Takeaway Both physical shops and online stores have different pros and cons. For established businesses with great revenues, it’s advisable to have both a physical and an online store. On the other hand, for small businesses or companies who are struggling with revenue and growth, it’s best to stick to an online store and not have a brick-and-mortar store for some time. Additionals: How To Create A Powerful Business Continuity Plan? How To Make Money Fast – 5 Strategy To Follow In 2021 How To Start A Business In 2021 – Best Business Strategies
Feb 21, 2023
Preparing To Welcome A New Disabled Employee
It wasn't that long ago that people with disabilities were shunted aside from daily life, left alone to cope with their problems. Fortunately, much has changed for the better now as society has become more aware and accepting of those that are different, giving the disabled a new lease on life. One of the areas where things have improved is in employment. We have finally learned that people with disabilities are capable of much more than they were formally thought to be, and the advantages of hiring disabled workers are actually manifold. Introducing A Disabled Employee To The Work Culture This is not to say that there are no attendant difficulties with welcoming a disabled employee into your company; of course, there are, but nothing that can't be surmounted with patience and planning. Here are some of the steps you can take to make your business inclusive that go beyond the hiring process and will help everyone involved work together with confidence and respect. Implement company-wide training, preferably by an experienced consultant. There are three tiers to this: Leadership Having the top brass buy-in is going to imprint on everyone else how important this is. Seeing the company president get the same training as everyone else goes a long way to negating the stigma and fear that surround the disabled, showing that you are all in this together. Read Also: Effective Ways To Track Your Employees’ Work Supervisors Perhaps the most crucial player in all this management needs to feel secure in their relationship with the disabled employee by having an understanding of what they can and sometimes cannot do on the job. They will naturally feel fear of making mistakes and need to feel the freedom to voice their concerns and be given the specific tools to properly manage people with disabilities respectfully and with achieving success together firmly in mind. Co-workers The people on the front lines need to have clear and applicable training on disability inclusion and awareness. The training will help them feel more comfortable and able to engage better with their new disabled co-worker. It is also very important to provide appropriate support for employees with disabilities on the job. The best method is to have long-term support strategies in place, which might include necessary accommodations and assistive technologies. Include everyone in the implementation of these steps so they will understand you are all in it together, and feel like part of the solution to problems, rather than fearing them. 6 Steps To Make A Workplace Friendly For Disabled Workforce Disabled employees might be more talented and capable than one might think. As a leader, you must not focus on their disabilities. Rather treat them just like a usual employee so that he doesn’t feel distinct. Given below are some steps to create a welcoming workplace for physically challenged employees: Inhibit Ableist Language One of the first steps is to include discouragement of ableist language while addressing these employees in the awareness campaigns. There might be certain terms included in the program which must not be used for a person with disabilities. The answer is quite simple: make use of terminology a disabled individual prefers. Languages like clumsy, lazy, deaf, lame, fat, short, skinny, etc should never be encouraged within an organization. Recognize Disability-Related Communication Styles Our minds are often impacted by both visible and invisible forms of disabilities. Like, those having mobility impairments and using crutches or wheelchairs are usually considered “too slow.” Employees with cognitive or sensory disabilities communicate in a different way that might be a bit complex to comprehend. Coworkers must be taught to be a little more patient and understanding towards a disabled person. Refrain From Making Insensitive Jokes Encouraging or tolerating jokes about disabilities is the most unethical activity performed within an organization. Additionally, it is significant to keep in mind that disabled individuals are already under tremendous social pressure. The use of insulting words, even if the employee says he is fine, must always be refrained. With reputation and time, they might develop an increasingly dispiriting and hostile environment for physically challenged employees. Conduct Accessible Company Events Whether an event within the organization is formal or informal, always try to conduct it, keeping in mind your disabled workforce. They must get the opportunity to participate completely in all social events. Generally, it is a great idea to give up on venues having numerous stairs and no wheelchair accessibility. If possible, try to arrange transport options for this particular set of employees so that nothing holds them back while proceeding further. Offer Accommodations Quietly, Not Secretly Never make a spectacle of all the special arrangements and accommodations you provide to a disabled employee. It is a better idea to refrain from the temptation of hovering as well as micromanagement in a visible way. Also, never discuss these in front of the rest of the workforce. Although accommodations are not a dark secret, you must not talk a lot about it. Well, that’s the sign of a great leader! Take Immediate And Necessary Actions Whenever Needed While this point bears a resemblance to the first one, you must take necessary actions against disability discouragement. There should be no acceptable space for managers or coworkers to let a disabled employee feel down. If you find someone doing it once, shush it off by providing a warning. But if things get repeated, it’s better to take immediate action against it. Set an example so that nobody encourages such behaviors. Wrapping It Up Everybody in the workplace wants to feel valued. Employers should be looking for ways to keep their employees engaged, and in that way, they can increase their retention over the years because nothing is more valuable than a seasoned employee of any ability. Presentations from company leadership are a valuable form of direct messaging to instill the sense of teamwork needed for the best level of inclusion. If this is the first time you have hired a disabled person, use what has been learned as a template for the next one. The government is also ready to help with its support programs. With this, I bring my article to an end. Disability is a sensitive issue, and I hope my write-up encouraged you all to be more thoughtful co-workers. Thank you for reading! 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It must be large enough to accommodate all necessary appliances, furniture, and staff while allowing easy access to utilities such as water, gas, and electricity. Additionally, space for adequate lighting and ventilation are crucial elements that shouldn't be overlooked. Finally, the flooring material should suit a kitchen environment by providing non-slip surfaces that can withstand heavy foot traffic and potentially hazardous spills. Choosing Good-Quality Equipment Choosing the right space and equipment is essential when setting up a kitchen. When selecting the appropriate equipment for a kitchen, it’s vital to keep safety in mind. Ensure all appliances, tools, and equipment are UL-rated and in good working condition. Additionally, look for appliances, tools, and equipment designed to conserve energy and water. This may include energy-efficient ovens, stoves, and refrigerators. It’s also best to buy commercial grade grills for your restaurants to ensure maximum cooking and cleaning efficiency. Lastly, it’s always a good idea to install fire suppression systems, such as a fire suppression hood or a sprinkler system, to ensure safety in the kitchen. Creating a practical kitchen with the right combination of space and equipment that fits one’s needs best is possible. Careful planning will ensure the kitchen is set up correctly to function efficiently for years. Ensuring Proper Ventilation Good kitchen ventilation is essential for creating a safe and comfortable working environment. A practical kitchen ventilation system can help remove smoke, odors, pollutants, and excess moisture from the air by providing fresh air circulation. To ensure good ventilation in your restaurant kitchen, you should install an exhaust fan directly above the stovetop to vent smoke and moisture away from cooking surfaces. Additionally, installing a range hood over the stovetop to capture fumes and smoke and an in-line fan to reduce odor levels further. It’s also beneficial to open a window or install a window fan for additional fresh air circulation and use a dehumidifier to reduce excess moisture in the air. Finally, consider installing an air purifier to eliminate any remaining pollutants or odors so your staff can work comfortably and safely in their environment. With these measures considered, your team can cook quickly, knowing they are in a clean and healthy workspace. What You Should NOT DO When Setting Up Your Restaurant Kitchen: Here are three great examples of what you should avoid doing to maintain kitchen safety, efficiency, and productivity: Don’t Ignore Safety Regulations Ensuring that all kitchen appliances and fixtures are installed correctly, with the appropriate power source, is vital. This includes ovens, stoves, microwaves, exhaust fans, dishwashers, and refrigerators. In addition, it’s crucial to create an adequate ventilation system for proper air circulation throughout the kitchen area. All combustible materials should be stored away from sources of heat or flames to prevent any fire hazards. Furthermore, children shouldn’t be allowed access to the kitchen due to safety concerns related to sharp objects and hazardous substances. Kitchen staff must also receive adequate food safety and hygiene training before preparing meals. Setting up a restaurant kitchen can become much easier with these guidelines in place while providing a safe working environment for everyone involved. By considering potential risks associated with operating a restaurant kitchen, businesses can eliminate unnecessary problems. Don’t Overlook The Need For Extra Storage Having enough space to store things is essential when setting up a restaurant kitchen. You can add shelves or cabinets to the walls, countertops, or places you don’t often think about. For example, you can put brackets on the sides of appliances or between cupboards. You can also use bins or baskets to store things and make them easier to find. Planning and ensuring you use all your space will save you time and help your restaurant run smoothly. It’s also vital to create a designated area for each step of the cooking process, such as a prep area, cooking area, and dishwashing area. This will help keep the kitchen organized and efficient by ensuring all areas are properly equipped with the necessary tools and supplies. This includes having adequate counter space, utensils, pots, pans, and other cookware. Having the right tools and supplies in the right place will make it easier for your staff to work quickly and efficiently. Not Considering A Grease Trap A grease trap is a critical piece of equipment for any restaurant kitchen. Failing to install one can cause clogged pipes and costly plumbing repairs. Grease traps collect fats, oils, and greases from the wastewater before it reaches the public sewer system or septic tank. This helps protect these systems from becoming blocked up with solidified fat deposits. Furthermore, grease traps reduce foul odors from untreated wastewater entering the sewage system. The size of your grease trap must be determined based on factors such as daily flow rate and the total amount of solids expected in each batch of wastewater. Additionally, you should ensure that all components are correctly assembled and maintained regularly to prevent issues related to corrosion and sediment build-up over time. It’s also essential to ensure adequate access space around the unit so that maintenance personnel has room to perform necessary services when needed. Restaurant owners must act with these considerations when setting up their kitchens to ensure the proper functioning of their grease trap systems and avoid unnecessary costs due to blockages or other problems caused by improper installation or inadequate maintenance procedures. Takeaway Establishing a successful kitchen in a restaurant is critical for its success. It requires careful planning and consideration of numerous factors, such as finding the right space, selecting suitable equipment, ensuring proper ventilation, adhering to safety regulations, providing adequate storage, and installing a grease trap. Attention to these details will give restaurateurs an advantage when setting up their kitchens. By carefully considering each of these points before setting up their kitchen, they can ensure that it meets all necessary standards while running efficiently. Doing so will help create a safe and productive environment for employees and customers. 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Apr 18, 2023
Profitable Business Ideas To Start In UAE
If we call UAE… Undaunted Asian Economy. It becomes an accolade fitting for this middle-east economic tiger. UAE is indeed undaunted in the way it progresses with time. No matter why it comes into the radar of investors and entrepreneurs. It is economically strong and stable like a rock. Are you too nourishing a dream to start a business in the Emirates? Does an Emirate dream give you sleepless nights? It's possible for you to start a new business in the UAE. So what are you waiting for? First, start your research on the business laws of the UAE. For this, you need to consult one of the uae law firms. They will help you develop ground-level facts on the business environment there. In this article, we will be discussing some of the new profitable business ideas to start in the UAE. Business?Why UAE? UAE is one of the most emerging high-income economies at present. It is brimmed with opportunities. According to the latest facts, the UAE's nominal GDP stands at $501.3 billion. In terms of global ranking, the country stands at 32nd position. If the GDP is described by sector, the industry contributes around 49.8%, and the tertiary sector contributes around 49.2%. Therefore, the opportunity for your manufacturing and services-oriented business is quite good there. Now come directly to the question: why invest in the UAE? There are around 40 industrial areas and 100% foreign ownership for 13 sectors to do business for you.The UAE is an open economy, and it is a member of WTO and the Greater Arab Free-Trade Area (GAFTA).You are going to get cheap labor for your manufacturing sector. The UAE government refreshed its VISA system to invite a qualified workforce in sectors like health, technology, and culture. The country has around 100 dynamic diplomatic missions and around 200 foreign diplomatic missions. Social Security for you and your business, you get there. Now tell us why you would not prefer UAE over others. It has that inherent stability needed for business to flourish. Profitable Business Ideas To Start A Business In The Uae There are many areas where you can explore business opportunities in the UAE, but we are discussing a handful of them here. The most promising ones for you. 1.eCommerce Solution Among the countries of the UAE, Dubai has great potential to start an eCommerce business. This is because the population and demand for products are quite high there. With minimal investment and a strong body of knowledge, you are able to run a business in the UAE. 2. Travel And Tourism You can open hotels and tourist travel companies in the UAE. Thousands of people from around the world visit Dubai and other Emirates for business and recreation. Therefore you can have a good opening three. 3. Real Estate Agencies According to a prediction, the real estate business ecosystem in the UAE will grow by around 111% of the existing market. Therefore, if you have financial prowess, you could invest it in the UAE for secured income or might consider real estate agencies in Dubai to simplify the hunt for you. 4. Health And Hospitality You can invest in the health sector by opening factories for pharmaceutical processing and equipment manufacturing in the UAE. Sure, you are going to get full-fledged cooperation from the government there. The most important thing is to get approvals and licenses. You simply need to know some basic UAE laws and regulations here. 5. Why Not Open A Hotel And Restaurant? The UAE can not sit idle, and it is always interested in partaking in international events. You are having Dubai Expo 2022, a 182-day international event that talks about business opportunities. So if you open hotels and restaurants in the UAE, you will always reach international visitors. One more thing, Qatar, the football world cup 2022, is knocking at the door! Imagine how a sea of people will pour into the UAE, driven by euphoria and madness! So if you own a restaurant there, you are digging gold; let us assure you this. Conclusion Therefore if you are resolved on opening a successful business in the UAE, these are the profitable business ideas that you need to look for. The UAE beacons you to board your flight of business aspirations. What you simply need is to be very clear regarding the VISA and business-related rules and regulations. Additionals How To Start A Dropshipping Business In 2021 – A beginners Guide Boxed Packaged Goods: The Right Guide To Uplift Your Business How To Start A Concession Stand Business? – A Complete Guide How To Run A Fast Food Restaurant Business At A Shoestring Budget?
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