A stakeholder analysis

TLDR

Lessons from Hungary’s alcohol policy analysis highlight that stakeholder analysis must consider purpose, time dimensions, context, and be approached cautiously due to biases and uncertainties. The paper offers guidance on conducting stakeholder analysis for policy development, implementation, or organizational advantage. It recommends selecting individual or team approaches, engaging insiders or outsiders, identifying stakeholders, and using qualitative or quantitative data to estimate positions, interests, and influence, with iterative refinement and illustrative examples. The study finds that iterative data collection and analysis are essential, and that stakeholder analysis effectively manages stakeholders and mobilizes support for specific goals.

Abstract

This paper provides guidance on how to do a stakeholder analysis, whether the aim is to conduct a policy analysis, predict policy development, implement a specific policy or project, or obtain an organizational advantage in one's dealings with other stakeholders. Using lessons learned from an analysis of alcohol policy development in Hungary, it outlines issues to be considered before undertaking the stakeholder analysis concerning the purpose and time dimensions of interest, the time-frame and the context in which the analysis will be conducted. It outlines advantages and disadvantages of an individual or team approach, and of the use of insiders and outsiders for the analysis. It describes how to identify and approach stakeholders and considers the use of qualitative or quantitative data collection methods for estimating stakeholder positions, levels of interest and influence around an issue. A key message is that the process of data collection and analysis needs to be iterative; the analyst needs to revise and deepen earlier levels of the analysis, as new data are obtained. Different examples of ways of analyzing, presenting and illustrating the information are provided. Stakeholder analysis is a useful tool for managing stakeholders and identifying opportunities to mobilize their support for a particular goal. However, various biases and uncertainties necessitate a cautious approach in using it and applying its results.