Types of Stakeholders

A stakeholder is anyone who feels impacted by an activity, whether physically or emotionally. They make for receptive audiences because of established interests in the direct or indirect impact of a project. And, in this sense, stakeholders identify themselves. The concept of “stakeholders” thus extends beyond authorities and affected communities to include the public at large. The OECD/NEA Forum on Stakeholder Confidence defines a stakeholder as, “any actor institution, group or individual with an interest in or a role to play in the societal decision making process.”

To learn more about stakeholders, traditional forms of market research as well as informal qualitative and quantitative methods of research can provide evidence to help communicators target their activities. The IAEA Handbook on Nuclear Law also draws distinctions between “statutory” and “non-statutory” stakeholders. With many ways to identify stakeholders, the communicator’s role is to thoroughly consider how to get the right information to the right audiences at the appropriate times.

This partial list offers major categories of participants who may be interested in nuclear science and technology topics:

• Government
• Host communities (officials and citizens)
• Labour organizations (unions)
• Media
• Ministry
• Neighbouring countries
• NEPIO (nuclear energy plant implementing organization)
• NGO (non-governmental organization)
• Operator / Implementer
• Opinion leaders
• Policy makers
• Public (national, regional, local)
• Regulatory body
• Scientists / Academia
• Staff of your organization