DOI

10.1016/j.bushor.2013.01.014

Abstract

Firms must allocate some minimum amount of value to stakeholders in order to retain access to the resources they provide. Stakeholder theory suggests managers optimize firm-level performance by allocating more than this minimum amount. However, how much is too much? This article addresses the misleading notion that more is always better when it comes to the treatment of stakeholders and, in doing so, provides needed refinement of the boundary of stakeholder theory's predictions. The upside for managers is guidance in distinguishing between the types of value-allocating behaviors that will lead to greater value creation in their firms and actions that are likely to reduce value overall.

Document Type

Post-print Article

Publication Date

2013

Publisher Statement

Copyright © 2013 Elsevier. Article first published online: May 2013.

DOI: 10.1016/j.bushor.2013.01.014.

The definitive version is available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0007681313000153?via%3Dihub.

Please note that downloads of the article are for private/personal use only.

Full Citation:

Harrison, Jeffrey S. and Douglas A. Bosse. "How Much is Too Much? The Limits to Generous Treatment of Stakeholders." Business Horizons 56, no. 3 (2013): 313-322. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bushor.2013.01.014.

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