An investigation of the challenges that face business in stakeholders engagement process: the case of Imenti North

Abstract

The issue of stakeholder participation in a number of areas has taken prominence in discussions in the world today. The business world has also seen a lot of this debate where beside the stockholders, other stakeholders are considered to be important for business sustainability. The importance and the role of these stakeholders have made stakeholder engagement very necessary. This has lead to what is now referred to as business social responsibility or corporate social responsibility. Stakeholder engagement as a concept goes deeper to include stakeholders within and without the business itself. The importance of employees, customers, suppliers, contracted services and so on are necessary to make a business stand. Consumer movements, environmentalist, culture, competitors and others, have been seen to have impact on the business. These stakeholders and their impact to businesses has been the concern of many discussions today. The way they are handled in order to maintain a good relationship is a challenge to many businesses. This research project was a study of the concept of stakeholder engagement in Imenti North District with special reference to the challenges that the businesses face in this important issue of stakeholder engagement. The main aim of the study was to establish those challenges and solutions to the same. Although there are many business enterprises in the district, this study covered those business which has three and above employees besides the owner. The purpose of this was to capture the bigger picture of stakeholder engagement due to its importance to both the businesses and the community around the business. Data collected was analyzed and results are presented in this study to help the business have a better understanding in this rather new concept of business management. This in turn will improve the business sustainability to the benefit to all the stakeholders