Network theory of stakeholder influences: a revisited approach

Abstract The interactions among multiple stakeholders have gained importance in the last decades, given the speed with which information is spread and connections are established between individuals and groups. However, there is still a research gap, which is the lack of consolidation of the empirical studies that analyzed the phenomenon of stakeholder networks and their contribution to the advancement of the theory. Thus, this work aims to investigate the evolution of the stakeholder networks approach in the last 20 years, that is, to revisit Rowley’s theory (1997) and to bring a panorama of its evolution to the present day. This essay is based on two research scopes: Network Theories - society in networks and interoganizational networks and Theory of Stakeholders, integrated in the composition of Rowley’s proposal (1997) - Network Theory of Stakeholders Influences. From a sociometric analysis and systematic review of 228 articles collected in the Web of Science between 1997 and 2017, it was possible to analyze the evolution of this approach. Based on this reflection, it is possible to infer that recent research shifts the focus of the relations with the stakeholders, centered in the organization, to those of a decentralized network with several actors. In addition, there is a trend of studies of networks formed by groups of stakeholders and the social identities of individuals members of these groups. The contribution of this study consists of presenting an overview of the Theory of Stakeholder Networks analyzing reference networks, theoretical and empirical contributions, trends and research agenda for the theme, which will help in the development of future work.