Boards of directors and stakeholder orientation

There exist distinct stakeholder groups perceived by directors, directors have high stakeholder orientations, and directors view some stakeholders differently depending on their occupation and type.

Abstract

Based on a survey of 2,361 directors in 291 of the largest companies of the Southeast States, this study empirically examined boards of directors' stakeholder orientations. The results indicate that (1) there exist distinct stakeholder groups perceived by directors, (2) directors have high stakeholder orientations, (3) directors view some stakeholders differently depending on their occupation (CEO directors v. non-CEO directors) and type (inside directors vs. outside directors).