Module 5 DQ 2 rely 1

Write an initial substantive response of 150 words in length. Begin your response with a restatement of the question/prompt, and include in-text citation(s) and a reference for each scholarly source used according to the APA guidelines found in the APA Style Guide located in the Student Success Center. The restatement of the question/prompt, the references, and the citations are not included in your response word count.

What is the most significant means by which stakeholders in non-governmental organizations influence public policy related to their organizations? Why?

Kellie Dixon

The most significant means by which stakeholders in non-governmental organizations influence public policy related to their organizations is through stakeholder power. Stakeholder management and identification is important in understanding the affect stakeholders may have on an organization’s influence of public policy (DohGuay 2006). Stakeholder salience is about understanding what issues are more important to stakeholders. Through stakeholder salience, there are three types of attributes: legitimacy, urgency and power (Lawrence & Weber, 2014). Non-governmental organizations can develop all three attributes and its stakeholders can become highly salient in efforts to influence public policy (DohGuay, 2006). However, the attribute of power is more relevant in stakeholders influencing public policy. Stakeholders hold five kinds of power: voting, economic, political, legal and informational (Lawrence & Weber, 2014). The purpose of stakeholder power is to utilize resources to ensure that a desired outcome is secured (Lawrence & Weber, 2014). It is through stakeholder salience and stakeholder power, that stakeholders in non-governmental organizations are able to influence public policy.

Doh, J.P & Guay, T.R. (2006). Corporate social responsibility, public policy, and NGO activism in Europe and the United States: an institutional-stakeholder perspective. Journal of Management Studies, 43 (1) p 47-73. Retrieved from

Lawrence, A. T., & Weber, J. (2014). Business and society: Stakeholders, ethics, public policy (14th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill/Irwin. Retrieved from