The Effect of Respect, Trust, and Fear in Adversarial Stakeholder Relationships: A Case Study on Water Commodification and Stakeholder Engagement

Authors

  • Mark McGinley

Keywords:

Stakeholder Theory, Stakeholder Engagement, Water Commodification, Water Export, NAFTA, GATT, Climate Change, Adversarial Relationships, Conflict

Abstract

Current academic discussion around stakeholder engagement has historically been focused on the attributes of the various stakeholders rather than on the relationship between the stakeholders. This paper examines the role that the intangible variables, respect, fear, and trust play in stakeholder relationships that are characterized by intractable conflict. That role is explored through a case study of stakeholder groups with adversarial positions on the commodification and export of Canada’s freshwater. Through discussion of the relationship between two sets of stakeholders with conflicting interests on Canada’s freshwater commodification respect, fear, and trust are advanced as the key intangible variables that create the underlying conflict. With these root causes identified the paper explores methods to build respect, reduce fear, and create trust between the stakeholders in an effort to shift their relationship from adversarial to co-operative in the hopes of facilitating constructive dialogue.

Author Biography

Mark McGinley

Mark McGinley has received a Bachelors of Commerce from the University of Calgary, and is currently working towards completion of  Juris Doctor and Masters of Business Administration degrees from Dalhousie University. Mark is very interested in international law and trade, and brings a unique legal perspective to this topic.

References

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Published

2011-03-20

Issue

Vol. 7 No. 1 (2011)

Section

Articles

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