Stakeholder Theory and Stakeholder Salience: The Role of a Hierarchical Rights Structure in Company Law
Location:
Moot Court Room,
Old College
Date/time
Thu 16 April 2026
17:30-19:00
Company Law plays a key part in identifying the salience of stakeholders. It is for that reason that studying Company Law can be used to further develop Stakeholder Theory.
Although concepts such as stakeholders, stakeholder salience, and stakeholder capitalism have gained widespread attention in recent years, the basis for the identification of stakeholders and the salience of stakeholders and their interests remains unclear. The author examines how company law operates on the basis of a hierarchical rights structure that defines, delineates, and institutionalizes the status, roles, positions, and claims of stakes and stakeholders, as well as their salience.
In addition, the author demonstrates how debates concerning the status and position of social recognition of stakes, stakeholders, and their salience arise within company law, corporate governance, and beyond. Engaging with the hierarchical rights structure in company law enhances the descriptive validity of identifying stakes, stakeholders, and their salience. Moreover, active engagement with ongoing debates regarding this rights structure is important in determining how the roles and salience of stakes and stakeholders are established.
About the speaker
Prof. Dr. Jeroen Veldman is a professor at Nyenrode Business University. He chairs the Nyenrode Corporate Governance Institute, is a member of the Nyenrode Faculty Expertise Center for Entrepreneurship, Governance & Stewardship, and is the research representative for Accountability, Governance, and Law.
Image credit: Freepik