Stakeholder analysis in the context of the lean enterprise

Abstract

This thesis combines three different areas of study that are very active nowadays: Lean Enterprises, Stakeholder Theory, and Social Networks. Elements from these three research areas have been articulated to produce a methodology that allows for the analysis of stakeholder systems. In order to successfully apply lean enterprise principles and practices the study of the way in which stakeholders are structured along the extended enterprise is an indispensable first step. In a similar manner, stakeholder management practices require the identification of the most salient stakeholders together with their motivations to participate in the enterprise's value creation efforts. Original frameworks and methodologies for stakeholder systems analysis are presented in this thesis. Several qualitative, quantitative and systematic techniques have been developed that allow for the characterization and mapping of stakeholder networks. Among them are models for stakeholder systems representation, a process for the identification of stakeholders, a method to determine their salience and relationships relevance, and several stakeholder network metrics. Also is proposed and demonstrated the use of Dependency Structure Matrix technique for the analysis of stakeholder networks structural and functional characteristics. Some of these methodologies rely on known theories and practices such as social network analysis techniques and other graph theoretic concepts although their combination and further development provide an original set of tools for the analysis of stakeholder systems. All these methodologies were applied to a real case enterprise scenario. The stakeholder system of a relatively small space application enterprise was analyzed and characterized. Several important

(cont.) conclusions were derived from this enterprise's stakeholder analysis, demonstrating the capabilities and adequacy of the methods and techniques proposed.