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CONTEXT: In the 1970s it was fashionable to consider “stakeholders” in planning and management processes. At the time “stakeholder” was intended to be an inclusive notion but very quickly some of these stakeholders began to assert precedence over others. Consequently they were claiming some kind of exclusive interest and privileges to match. Furthermore, they tended to demand a ranking – a place in a pecking order – and privileges to match their ranking.
In some situations, but not all, this view/understanding had some veracity and especially so in regard to some planning processes. Very quickly stakeholders’ concerns were accommodated and as a consequence before anyone could be considered a stakeholder they needed to demonstrate a ‘legitimate interest’ – someone with a pecuniary interest, someone with an ownership of some kind (freehold, intellectual property, cultural), someone who is at risk of suffering loss of something, whatever, all of which were subjectively assessed.
However there is another way, and a more inclusive way, to think about all this. If we think about say cultural organisations (Cultural Institutions & Cultural Enterprises) as having Communities of Ownership and Interest (COI) – layers of cognitive owners including stakeholders –
COI members might then begin an interesting conversation with each other in regard to resource management and the cultural values invested in ‘places’ and the institutions that give them a sense of being. This is NOT a matter hierarchical rankings rather it should be focused upon establishing inclusive and inter-related memberships with individuals possibly having several and overlapping 'ownerships/interests' rather than a single one exclusive to them.
Members of a COI are ideally in partnership with each other and over time share an interest in a range of outcomes attached to a place, institution, event, whatever. For more information on auditing COI memberships CLICK HERE
Members of a COI are ideally in partnership with each other and over time share an interest in a range of outcomes attached to a place, institution, event, whatever. For more information on auditing COI memberships CLICK HERE
