The Principle of Good Faith: Toward Substantive Stakeholder Engagement

Cedric Dawkins ()

Journal of Business Ethics, 2014, vol. 121, issue 2, 283-295

Abstract: Although stakeholder theory is concerned with stakeholder engagement, substantive operational barometers of engagement are lacking in the literature. This theoretical paper attempts to strengthen the accountability aspect of normative stakeholder theory with a more robust notion of stakeholder engagement derived from the concept of good faith. Specifically, it draws from the labor relations field to argue that altered power dynamics are essential underpinnings of a viable stakeholder engagement mechanism. After describing the tenets of substantive engagement, the paper draws from the labor relations and commercial law literatures to describe the characteristics of good faith as dialogue, negotiation, transparency, and totality of conduct; explains how they can be adapted and applied to the stakeholder context; and suggests the use of mediation and non-binding arbitration. The paper concludes by addressing anticipated objections and shortcomings and discussing implications for theory and research. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2014

Keywords: Stakeholder engagement; Stakeholder input; Corporate accountability; Stakeholder theory; Stakeholder activism (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (15)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:121:y:2014:i:2:p:283-295

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DOI: 10.1007/s10551-013-1697-z

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