Successful project management requires continuous communication aligning the expectations between project stakeholders and the project team. Expectations include both product expectations (how the product will look, feel, and perform) and programmatic expectations (timelines, deliverables, expenditure of project resources). In order to make the most effective use of project resources throughout the life of the project, a process or tool for quickly aligning expectations as closely as possible should be employed early on in the project. Project management literature is lacking in tools for aligning expectations, and solutions and best practices need to be determined since the current best option is hiring experienced project managers and hoping they can communicate successfully. This paper lays out the quantitative statistical methods that are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of potential expectations alignment tools in order to determine best practices. Engineering capstone students lack the industry experience aligning programmatic expectations that a good project manager would have. Curriculum may not be addressing the alignment of programmatic expectations, leaving students with blind spots that can lead even the brightest of student teams to fail. Failure to properly align expectations and achieve project goals can then lead to ruined relationships and damage a program's reputation. Using the methodology we propose, we determined that students at Brigham Young University and the United States Air Force Academy have a statistically significant misalignment regarding two major programmatic expectations: design deliverables to be created as part of the project, and the desired technology readiness level the project needed to achieve. It was also determined that these students have a statistically significant bias towards overestimating the importance their sponsors put on creating prototypes. The alignment tool we tested and the alignment measurement methodology we propose provide a groundwork for future development and testing of tools and best practices for quickly aligning design teams' expectations with their stakeholders.

Yes / Purpose – Previous scholars have assumed that multinational enterprises (MNEs) can reduce the liability of foreignness and increase profitability by investing in corporate social responsibility (CSR). However, empirical validation of this assumption has rarely been attempted. This study provides empirical evidence that the adoption of multi-stakeholder initiatives, which are globally recognized as signals of CSR, helps MNEs increase profits from internationalization. Design/methodology/approach – Fixed effect models, which address model misspecification problems, and instrumental variable estimation, which controls for the endogeneity in firms’ choice of internationalization, offer empirical evidence supporting the moderating effects of global multi-stakeholder initiatives on the relationship between internationalization and firm performance. Findings – This study examines the moderating role of multi-stakeholder initiatives in the relationship between internationalization and firm performance, drawing on signaling and stakeholder theories. The results suggest that the signaling effect of multi-stakeholder initiatives can help MNEs overcome the liability of foreignness and, therefore, profit from overseas markets. Originality/value – Although the internationalization–firm performance relationship has been a subject of debate in the field of international business, the role of firms’ stakeholder engagement in this relationship has been largely overlooked in previous studies. In this study, we explore the impact of multi-stakeholder initiatives on the internationalization–firm performance relationship. Our primary contention is that multi-stakeholder initiatives have moderating effects on this relationship by reducing the liability of foreignness experienced by MNEs in host countries. Furthermore, our findings suggest that active engagement in multi-stakeholder initiatives significantly contributes to the financial success of MNEs as they internationalize.

Purpose - Given the existing obstacles to succeed with the front end of innovation, and the possibility to learn from the operations of hidden champions with their relative high rate of success in the market, this study aims to investigate how Nordic small and medium-sized hidden champions manage their front end of innovation. Method - The study is a multiple case study that uses an exploratory approach. A total of 19 interviews were conducted in two waves and across eleven organizations from the Nordic region. The collected data was analyzed through a thematic analysis. Findings - The thematic analysis resulted in two themes: Innovation Management and Stakeholder Management, that each centralize on different aspects managed. Central to the findings was the involvement of customers and external organizations into the front end of the innovation process. The findings built the foundation to a framework on enabling factors for the front end of innovation and thereby how other organizations should improve their front end of innovation. Moreover, a process framework is also presented which conceptualizes how organizations should operate their front end of innovation efforts. Theoretical contribution - This study adds to the literature by providing insights on how hidden champions manage their front end of innovation, confirming findings from other regions and adding to existing literature on the importance of involving customers in the front end of innovation process. Moreover, the study conceptualizes the factors that enable hidden champions to succeed in their front end of innovation. Managerial contribution - This study provides an overview of how managers can structure their front end of innovation process to increase the chances of successful innovation management. Limitations and future research - This study focuses on small and medium-sized hidden champions, thus the generalizability of this study may not apply to larger organizations. Therefore future research is proposed for large hidden champions to examine if the findings in this study are applicable for them. This study also examines hidden champions in a B2B context, therefore future research should be conducted regarding hidden champions in B2C to examine the applicability of our findings in that field.

Utvecklingen av Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) har under de senaste decennierna utvecklats till att bli en allt mer viktig del i företags strategier, med ett fokus som läggs mer och mer på miljömässigt och socialt ansvarstagande. Tidigare har detta främst implementerats inom stora företag, däremot har utvecklingen av CSR nu lett till att detta även är aktuellt inom Små och medelstora företag (SMEs). Däremot har SMEs kännetecknats av att lägga mindre fokus på implementeringen av CSR, detta på grund av att SMEs inte har samma förutsättningar när det kommer till att kunna använda resurser och lägga tid på att engagera sig inom CSR.    Tidigare forskning har visat att ett aktivt CSR-arbete kan medföra flertalet fördelar, exempelvis ett förbättrat företagsrykte, både ökad motivation och arbetsnöjdhet hos anställda, samt ökad kundlojalitet. Forskning visar även på att det är av stor vikt att företag värnar om sina intressenter och skapar goda relationer med dessa för att kunna bibehålla en konkurrenskraftig och långsiktig position på marknaden. Det tidigare forskning däremot inte visar är hur SMEs arbete med CSR spelar roll i utvecklingen av ett företags intressentrelationer.    Det har gjort att följande forskningsfråga har tagits fram och besvarats:  “Hur arbetar Små och medelstora företag i Norrland med CSR och vilken roll spelar det i utvecklingen av intressentrelationer?”   För att besvara studiens syfte och problemformulering har en kvalitativ flerfallstudie av sex svenska SMEs verksamma i Norrland genomförts. Detta genom att data har samlats in med hjälp av 6 semistrukturerade intervjuer, i kombination material från företagens hemsidor. Intervjuerna hade som syfte att skapa en förståelse för hur dessa företag arbetar med CSR, samt vilken roll detta har spelat i utvecklingen av deras intressentrelationer. Utifrån insamlad har en tematisk analys utförts, vilket har format studiens fem teman, dessa är: miljöledning och strategier, policys och företagskultur, framtidsorientering, intressenters påverkan och kommunikationskanaler.    Studiens resultat visar på att SMEs CSR arbete ligger som en grund för relationerna med deras intressenter. Däremot skiljer sig detta åt beroende på vilken typ av relation som företaget och intressenten har. Utifrån studiens resultat rekommenderar vi SMEs att aktivt engagera sig inom CSR, både vad gäller internt och externt, miljömässigt och hållbarhetsmässigt.

Corporate responsibility is increasingly involved in corporate reputation, and so, in the economic success of a company. Car fleet operating companies are exposed to criticism and, as a direct result of this many corporate protagonists responsible for the operation of car fleets are developing measures to decrease CO2 emissions and fuel consumption. A second trend is the increasing usage of image-generating marketing actions in the worldwide ‘information society’. For various reasons, these image campaigns do not always lead to the expected improvements in corporate reputation. The crucial question is, how do these marketing actions, in the name of corporate social responsibility, relate to corporate reputation? The objective of this research is to establish rules for these relationships and to derive a new stakeholder approach to optimise corporate reputation regarding car fleet management marketing. First of all this study examines theoretical evidence in preparation for further empirical studies on the behaviour of sustainable car fleet management. With this in mind, the thesis looks at empirical evidence about the factors deemed necessary for successful responsible car fleet operation and its marketing. After conducting an online survey with more than 300 respondents, a multiple-embedded-case study with three cases, six supplementary cases, and several stakeholders represents the main part of this work. As a result, this work depicts, through three models, and via a new stakeholder approach (a combination of the three), the relationships of certain main types of firm with main types of fleet as well as the main types of marketing to support corporate reputation. Unexpected findings regarding the suitable intensity of communication to internal and external stakeholders have emerged. This approach successfully supports the design of sustainable car fleet management and a suitable arrangement of the marketing approach.

Within the field of development, participation has become the normative approach in the past two decades. For development projects to be sustainable, the communication must be participatory in nature. For development projects to be sustainable and to actually contribute to the development of communities, communication has to be based on the participatory approach of development communication. Dialogue, empowerment that leads to independence and cultural identity are some of the most important principles of the participatory approach. The importance of communication aimed at development first became apparent during the modernisation paradigm. Modernisation is considered an evolutionary shift from a traditional view to a modern society. Development is seen as synonymous with westernization, industrialization and economic growth. Universities are under pressure from both the government and the industry to help with economic development and deliver graduates that can make a positive difference in their field of expertise (Grimaldi & Grandi, 2005). A university business incubator (UBI) is a business incubator located within a university. University business incubators facilitate and develop conditions and support systems that ensure young entrepreneurs with new ventures will function successfully. Business incubators support these entrepreneurs by giving them access to affordable facilities and resources such as secretarial support and office furniture. The focus is on providing entrepreneurs with specialised support, training and assistance, including research and development, risk capital and networking opportunities (Lalkaka, 1990:25). A UBI uses the university‟s resources, personnel‟s time and knowledge toward economic development efforts, reaping the benefits from the commercialisation of the university‟s own research (Grimaldi & Grandi, 2005; Mian, 1997). The Netherlands Initiative for Capacity development in Higher Education (NICHE) launched a programme in South Africa in February 2009. BEEHIVE (Bridging Business and Education by Establishing a Hub of Innovative Ventures and Expertise) is the university incubator of the North-West University‟s (NWU) Vaal Triangle Campus, which started with the operational phase of the programme in May 2012. The name was changed in 2011 to Bhive for marketing purposes. Against this background, the following research question was investigated: to what extent is the communication between stakeholders of the Bhive UI participatory? The researcher used a qualitative research method in order to collect the data. A literature study was conducted to explore the premises of the nature of the participatory approach in development communication for social change. Interviews with different stakeholders were conducted to determine their perceptions regarding the Bhive UI. Lastly, the researcher observed the Bhive UI over a period of two years. The research findings reveal that within the larger paradigm of heteroglossia there is room for improvement. This study pointed out the various areas for improvement and offered theoretically grounded recommendations. / MA (Communication Studies), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The aim of this PhD research project was to critically examine the self-reported socially-responsible activities of European full-service and low-fares airlines. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a concept that has been described using many terms and with varying definitions. Broadly, it is the recognition that businesses should voluntarily mitigate and manage their externalities. CSR has been touted by businesses and governments alike as a preferred alternative to regulation. This research looked at the self-reported CSR approaches of the European airline sector, which has historically been heavily regulated and is currently facing increasing pressures regarding its impacts on CSR- and sustainability-related concerns. Low cost carriers have been under particular scrutiny for their impacts, and therefore, this research compared the CSR approaches of the two dominant airline business models in Europe: low cost and full service models. The sample consisted of 21 full service and 13 low cost carriers with headquarters in Europe. Mixed qualitative methods were applied to 566 secondary documents (websites, press releases, annual reports, and standalone CSR reports) and 15 elite interviews with airline managers. A range of established CSR indicators were assessed, including: definitions, reported practices, motivations and justifications for CSR activities, and CSR management and monitoring. Much of what the airlines reported as their CSR was at odds with academic and governmental definitions; as a whole, they placed considerable emphasis on environmental issues and adhering to regulations. This study also found that the CSR practices were closely correlated with business practices and key sector issues – an understanding of CSR that is most compatible with stakeholder theory-based conceptualisations. Business models on their own were found to be an overly-simplistic explanation for the wide variances of practice that were found in the sample. Instead, four ‘profiles of responsibility’ were identified, which better captured the differences in practices.

Approved for public release; distribution in unlimited. / The purpose of a United States Army Directorate of Contracting (DOC) is to award or execute contracts for supplies or services and perform post-award contract administration functions for the Army installation and Army units stationed at the installation. The DOC accomplishes its purpose within the context of the Federal Acquisition System's Vision, which is to deliver on a timely basis the best value product or service to the customer, while maintaining the public's trust and fulfilling public policy objectives. A DOC must consider many external stakeholders to achieve its purpose. The basic premise of this thesis research is to improve a DOC's organizational effectiveness through the examination of its external environment, particularly, external stakeholders. The concept of stakeholder management concentrates on an organization's need to consider its relationships with specific stakeholder groups. An organization's ability to satisfy the desires of key stakeholders, meeting the stakeholders' criteria, is the key to an effective organization. Data were gathered from 15 government stakeholders and 14 contractors using a questionnaire that addressed such questions as: What are your organizations expectations and requirements of the DOC? How well did the DOC meet your needs and expectations? Does your organization control a resource needed by the DOC? The thesis summarizes findings and provides recommendations. The overall benefit of this thesis research is improved environmental awareness, which enables the DOC to become more effective in achieving its mission and meeting the desires of its external stakeholders. / Major, United States Army

The thesis analyses the use of the principles of stakeholder management as they are applied in the marketing management of the transport and logistics company GTL, spol. s r. o. The aim of the thesis is to find a suitable marketing and marketing communicaton strategy of the company. The proposed strategy draws on findings in the field of stakeholder management. The theoretical and methodolical part of the thesis concerns marketing communication strategy focused on public relations. The thesis further discusses corporate social responsibility, marketing in B2B services and ultimately the key topic -- the theory of stakeholder management and stakeholder analysis. The introduction to the practical part of the thesis provides a situation analysis of the GTL company. This is followed by a stakeholder-analysis-based marketing research study. The last section proposes a marketing communication strategy of the GTL company for the year 2012.

Num complexo ambiente de negócios, em intensa e contínua transformação, os projetos podem ser considerados entre as principais ferramentas organizacionais que sustentam a busca de melhorias em termos de processos, produtos e tecnologias, tornando-se uma atividade essencial para a maioria das empresas. A ampliação e aprofundamento da gestão de projetos tiveram como consequência o ganho de importância dos stakeholders ou partes interessadas do projeto, independentemente de seu envolvimento ser permanente ou temporário. Neste estudo, visou-se identificar e discutir: i) as práticas de gestão de stakeholders, ii) o desempenho dos projetos e iii) a relação entre as práticas de gestão dos stakeholders e o desempenho dos projetos. A partir da aplicação de um questionário eletrônico, em 2018, com participantes de projetos organizacionais, levantaram-se as características do projeto, da empresa e dos próprios participantes para 105 projetos finalizados. Capturou-se a percepção de concordância entre os participantes em relação à participação dos stakeholders, a adoção das práticas de gestão dos stakeholders e o desempenho dos seus respectivos projetos. Os dados obtidos permitiram desenvolver uma compreensão objetiva dos conceitos em discussão, segundo o entendimento dos participantes dos projetos. Foram propostos dois modelos conceituais com o objetivo de se identificar a dependência entre as práticas de gestão de stakeholders e o desempenho do projeto. Tais relações propostas foram avaliadas com o uso da técnica de modelagem de equações estruturais. O estudo permitiu evidenciar - com base nos diversos respondentes, participantes de projetos com diferentes características, realizados em distintas empresas - as práticas de gestão de stakeholders efetivamente adotadas e as dimensões de desempenho consideradas nos projetos. Em termos da avaliação da relação entre os conceitos, para ambos os modelos, as relações foram confirmadas e as contribuições mostraram-se positivas e significativas, de modo que os resultados são consistentes com os objetivos propostos no estudo. / In a complex business environment, in an intense and continuous transformation, projects can be considered among the main organizational tools that support the search for improvements in terms of processes, products and technologies, becoming an essential activity for most companies. The extension and deepening of the project management had the consequence of gaining importance to the project stakeholders, regardless of whether their involvement is permanent or temporary. In this way, this study aimed to identify and discuss: i) stakeholder management practices, ii) project performance, and iii) the relations between stakeholder management practices and project performance. From the application of an electronic questionnaire, in 2018, with practitioners of organizational projects, we raised the characteristics of the project, the company and the respondents themselves to 105 completed projects, in addition to the perception of agreement of these participants regarding the participation of stakeholders, adoption of stakeholder management practices and performance of their respective projects. The data obtained allowed an objective understanding of the concepts under discussion, according to the participants\' understanding of the projects. Two conceptual models were proposed in order to identify the occurrence of dependence between stakeholder management practices and project performance, so that such proposed relations were evaluated using the structural equation modeling technique. In general, the study showed - from the various respondents, for projects of different characteristics carried out in distinct companies - the management practices of stakeholders effectively adopted and the dimensions of performance contemplated in the projects. In terms of the evaluation of the relation between the concepts, for both models the relationships were confirmed and the contribution showed to be positive and significant, so that the results obtained are consistent with the proposed objectives.