What to do when stakeholders matter : the case of problem formulation for the African American men project of hennepin couty, minnesota
By: Bryson, John M
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Contributor(s): CUNNINGHAM, Gary L | LOKKESMOE, Karen J.
Material type: 
ArticlePublisher: Malden, MA : Blackwell Publishers, sep./oct.2002Public Administration Review: PAR 62, 5, p. 568-584Abstract: We propose a series of stakeholder analyses designed to help organizationsespecially governmentsthink and act strategically during the process of problem formulation in order to advance the common good. Specifically, we argue that at least five sets of analyses are necessary, including the creation of (1) a power versus interest grid; (2) a stakeholder influence diagram; (3) bases of powerdirections of interest diagrams; (4) a map for finding the common good and structuring a winning argument; and (5) diagrams indicating how to tap individual stakeholder interests to pursue the common good. What the analyses do is help to transform a seemingly "wicked problem"for example, how to produce better outcomes for African American men aged 1830into something more tractable, and therefore amenable to collective action. In other words, stakeholder analysis can be used to link political rationality with technical rationality so that support can be mobilized for substantive progress.
We propose a series of stakeholder analyses designed to help organizationsespecially governmentsthink and act strategically during the process of problem formulation in order to advance the common good. Specifically, we argue that at least five sets of analyses are necessary, including the creation of (1) a power versus interest grid; (2) a stakeholder influence diagram; (3) bases of powerdirections of interest diagrams; (4) a map for finding the common good and structuring a winning argument; and (5) diagrams indicating how to tap individual stakeholder interests to pursue the common good. What the analyses do is help to transform a seemingly "wicked problem"for example, how to produce better outcomes for African American men aged 1830into something more tractable, and therefore amenable to collective action. In other words, stakeholder analysis can be used to link political rationality with technical rationality so that support can be mobilized for substantive progress.
Public Administration Review PAR
September/October 2002 Volume 62 Number 5
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