Stakeholder Engagement in Corporate Sustainability Communication: An Analysis on Turkey’s Largest Companies


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Sancar Demren G. A.

21nd Annual International Conference on Communication and Mass Media, Athens, Greece, 8 - 11 May 2023, pp.2-16

  • Publication Type: Conference Paper / Full Text
  • City: Athens
  • Country: Greece
  • Page Numbers: pp.2-16
  • Galatasaray University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Sustainable development is a process in which the exploitation of resources, investment direction, technological development orientation, and institutional change are consistent with both present and future needs. In this context, corporate sustainability integrates financial, environmental, and social aspects into an organization’s decision-making process, providing long-term value and emphasizing the prudent use of resources and assets to contribute to a resilient economy, society, and environment for future generations. Corporate sustainability involves integrating economic, social, and environmental logic with corporate values, strategies, operations, and relationship management to ensure business longevity (Benn & Bolton, 2013: 63-64). Organizations implementing corporate sustainability strategies must also decide how to manage their organizational communication, bringing stakeholder management in corporate communication to the forefront and raising the question of stakeholder incorporation into corporate sustainability strategies. Corporate sustainability communication encompasses all communication activities organizations use to reach and inform stakeholders about sustainability strategies. Engaging stakeholders in corporate sustainability communication facilitates two-way communication. This study first explores the concepts of corporate sustainability and corporate sustainability communication, then examines stakeholder engagement’s role in corporate sustainability communication. Finally, a qualitative analysis will identify tools used by Turkish companies ranked in the top 20 of the Fortune 500 list to engage stakeholders in corporate sustainability communication.