Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) Practice Exam

Who are considered stakeholders in an organization's decision-making process?

1. Only employees

2. People affected by or having an impact on the organization's success

3. Only shareholders

4. External consultants

The correct answer is: People affected by or having an impact on the organization's success

The correct answer recognizes that stakeholders encompass a broad range of individuals and groups who either influence or are affected by an organization's decisions. These stakeholders can include employees, shareholders, customers, suppliers, community members, and even broader societal groups, all of whom play a critical role in the organization's success. Involvement from diverse stakeholders helps ensure that multiple perspectives are considered in decision-making processes, which can lead to more effective strategies and outcomes. Focusing solely on employees, shareholders, or external consultants would limit the scope of understanding stakeholder involvement. For instance, employees represent only one aspect of the organization, while shareholders are primarily concerned with financial performance. External consultants may provide valuable insights, but they do not encompass the whole range of people impacted by or able to impact the organization's decisions. Therefore, a holistic view of stakeholders includes anyone and everyone who can influence or be influenced by the organization.