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An Eco‐Social Lens on Voice for Undervoiced and Unvoiced Stakeholders

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  • Sandra Waddock

Abstract

This conceptual paper argues it is important from an ecological–social (eco‐social) whole system point of view for businesses and policymakers to take the interests of and impacts on unvoiced and undervoiced [un(der)voiced] stakeholders into consideration for both strategic and justice reasons. Un(der)voiced stakeholders are classified into three categories: undervoiced, fringe, or marginalized humans who can speak yet are often ignored or disregarded; unvoiced or silent humans who have no voice in the present; and places, species, ecosystems, and nonhuman beings that cannot speak for themselves in human terms. From firms' perspectives, the interests and needs of many un(der)voiced stakeholders may not yet have sufficient salience or voice to gain attention unless specific attention is paid. Yet their salience as stakeholders becomes clearer with considerations of whole system well‐being and justice. The Earth System Justice framework is used to identify intergenerational, intragenerational, and interspecies and Earth stability justice considerations for un(der)voiced stakeholders.

Suggested Citation

  • Sandra Waddock, 2026. "An Eco‐Social Lens on Voice for Undervoiced and Unvoiced Stakeholders," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 35(3), pages 4624-4637, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:bstrat:v:35:y:2026:i:3:p:4624-4637
    DOI: 10.1002/bse.70359
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