Assignment #2: Internal and External Stakeholders
Influence of Internal and External Stakeholders
Stakeholders are described as individuals who have an interest or gain or loss effect on the program, project or firm. These people determine the direction of the project, which has been initiated or is being planned. From their influence, the project or program one started can either boom or crumble. The level of their influence to a program, or project depends on the degree of involvement of these people in the planning and implementation phases. In this regard, stakeholders may be either internal stakeholders or external stakeholders.
Internal stakeholders are described by Philips (2010), as an individual or groups of individual employed by a company or those that are affected by the wage changes of the program. These people are involved in determining the day-to-day operations of the program. In Criminal Law context, internal stakeholders include employees and firm/ project owners among others. Their influence is highly felt on the manner of progress and outcome of the case. For instance, internal stakeholders may play a critical role in determining the period the case will take. This can be done through either delaying the case genuinely or in a manner to demand their rights by acts such as strikes or boycotts. Employees level of expertise is also a key level to note in terms of internal stakeholders influence. Depending on their expertise, the progress in such of justice may be a total failure or an achievement. Positively, internal stakeholders can channel the resources available towards a program. On the other hand, they can negatively affect the program by limiting resources availability (Markwell, 2010).
External stakeholders include customers, suppliers, society and political influencers e.g. government (Markwell, 2010). These are avenues that influence the operation of a company or a project, but not employed by the company or project runners. Customers influence the decision through their choice in supporting a given project and their terms of cooperation. Positively, customers may become loyal to a firm and give their full support while, on the other hand, they may become a stabling block to success. The latter is common in cases where the customer does not feel satisfied with the services gained from the firm. The government can also influence negatively by limiting access to crucial information or drafting policies to block the progress. Positively, the government can lead success through streamlining efforts and coordination. The society on the hand influences a program through the kind of environment that they create.
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Involvement of Stakeholders
In ensuring support from all stakeholders, both internal and external, their roles must be identified and respected. The employees must be involved in effective planning, management and evaluation of all the channels taken to solve the problem. Ideally, employees right must be guarded and motivated enough to ensure that they give their full support to the program. It is vital to recognize the best-suited employees in handling the case and the most appropriate management approaches should be adopted (Philips, 2010). This will ensure that a consummate solution will be arrived at, within the allocated timeframe. Where necessary, the employees such as members of the jury and their supportive staffs can be taken through a program to ensure they are abreast with the current trends within their jurisdiction. Moreover, directors and shareholders must be kept informed of the progress, and their intervention sought to gain coordination and full support (Zaremba, 2009).
Similarly, external stakeholders position in arriving at a justifiable solution must be evaluated. Caution should be taken to avoid violating government policies and regulations in the process of solving the problem. Violation of policies and regulations can be detrimental to the progress of the operations. Therefore, employees, who are caring out the operations, must involve the government machinery and the authorities that fall within the jurisdiction of their operation for better understanding of the policies. In case of a conflict of interest or laws, adequate measures should be taken to seek a solution of the stalemate. Customers should be treated with dignity and matters of confidentiality should be observed to ensure that they feel respected and as a part of the operation. A balance should be established between matters of interest between all the involved parties to allay conflicts. It should be noted that customers determine the life of the firm through their support and loyalty. In addition, proper networking among all the involved parties significantly leads to escalation of cumulative benefits. Before, the final solution is adopted, it will be vital to inform the involved stakeholders for scrutiny. This is imperative in ensuring that close evaluation and investigations of flaws is done; hence timely corrections are done for sound solutions to be communicated (Philips, 2010).
In order to realize the best solution, stakeholders must be more than willing to participate in finding the most appropriate plan. Therefore, both internal and external stakeholders need to be motivated enough. According to Zaremba (2009), motivation is a form of enhancing and promoting commitment and dedication among individuals in their respective responsibilities. This is achieved through either monetary or non-monetary rewards to those noted to have excelled in their areas. Moreover, motivation can be in terms of enhancing a conducive environment for workers and other stakeholders.
One way that the internal stakeholders will be motivated is by ensuring that the terms of services, working schedules, and payments are within acceptable and competing levels. This will ensure that they dedicate their time to their responsibilities without focusing on other means of income generating plans. Their expertise must be reinforced now and then through forums and seminars. This will promote their confidence, which is a crucial factor in criminal law. The external stakeholders require cooperation and productive interaction (Philips, 2010). Policies that govern the organization will need to be accommodative, but not exploitative. Government cooperation can be won by ensuring prompt and consistent payment of taxes and other government requirements. The most important motivation approach is involving the main stakeholders in the decision-making processes. Consequently, it builds a feeling of worthiness and appreciation, hence every stakeholder plays their role in the excellently (Zaremba, 2009).