ABSTRACT

This chapter seeks to further explore the complex sets of relationships that educational leaders must manage if their institutions are to be successful. These relationships include parents, students and local and national government authorities. In commercial contexts, the term ‘stakeholder’ refers to any group or individual who has legitimate expectation of a company. Stakeholders can include stockholders, employees, customers, suppliers, creditors, managers, the local community, special interest groups, the general public, government and any other groups that have entered into a relationship with the company. Being aware of the range of stakeholders and their relative power, companies actively seek to satisfy the needs and expectations of their stakeholders in order to ensure survival and success (Dobson and Starkey, 1993).