An Exploratory Study on Operationalization of Integrated Stakeholder Relationships Management

This paper offers a new conceptual model, the integrated stakeholder relationships management model based on the principles of systems thinking and integrated management approach. This research is unique in its scope by considering all management functions while trying to integrate the stakeholders into the strategic decisions of the management. The model is tested on a sample with 303 respondents from software companies (175), hardware companies (100) and a sectoral association (28) in Turkey to explore how stakeholder relationships are managed based on the perceptions of the managers and the employees. Whereas the pilot study showed us the feasibility of the model, the main study results indicated how the stakeholder relationships are managed in a group of sample IT organizations when compared to the ideal criteria given by the proposed model. The model may prove to be a managerial guide for the managers at all levels for their attempts to integrate stakeholder interests into the management processes.