\nThis essay applies the framework of Business Ethics<\/strong> \u2014 most prominently associated with R. Edward Freeman<\/strong> \u2014 to analyze the Global IGF 2024 Riyadh conference from a management perspective. Target audience: executives, MBA students, management researchers, consultants, and policy analysts.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nExecutive Summary<\/h2>\n
Freeman's stakeholder theory asserts the legitimacy of diverse stakeholders beyond shareholders in corporate management. The multistakeholder model of Global IGF extends this theory to international governance.<\/p>\n
For firms operating in Saudi Arabia and adjacent GDC\u5b9f\u88c5, AI\u30ac\u30d0\u30ca\u30f3\u30b9, \u683c\u5dee domains, this essay maps how to incorporate the conference debate into strategic decision-making through the lens of Management beyond shareholder primacy<\/strong>.<\/p>\n![\"Framework\"](\"https:\/\/nkzw.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/en-mgmt-igf-2024-riyadh-freeman-stakeholder_h1.svg\")
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Theoretical grounds of multistakeholder<\/h2>\n
Stances taken by Saudi Arabia's firms at IGF must consider impact on their entire stakeholder map. The Mitchell-Agle-Wood three-axis of "legitimacy, urgency, power" for stakeholder prioritization applies to IGF engagement.<\/p>\n
The theoretical framework of R. Edward Freeman provides a lens to read the 2024 debate not as mere "industry trends" but as a precursor of structural change. The fact that this is a global-level discussion has direct strategic implications for the geographic scope of the target market.<\/p>\n
Legitimacy, urgency, power<\/h2>\n
For practical application, we map the applicability of Management beyond shareholder primacy<\/strong> to each topic at the conference.<\/p>\n1. Application to "GDC\u5b9f\u88c5"<\/h3>\n
The discussion on "GDC\u5b9f\u88c5" can be located, in R. Edward Freeman's framework, as a primary strategic variable.<\/p>\n
Concrete managerial implications include:<\/p>\n
\n- Implications for Saudi Arabia's market<\/strong>: early identification of regulatory trends and preemptive business-model adjustment<\/li>\n
- Impact on competitive advantage<\/strong>: monitoring competitors' moves and reviewing one's differentiation strategy<\/li>\n
- Investment decisions<\/strong>: allocation of R&D investment and reconfiguration of the portfolio<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
2. Application to "AI\u30ac\u30d0\u30ca\u30f3\u30b9"<\/h3>\n
The discussion on "AI\u30ac\u30d0\u30ca\u30f3\u30b9" can be located, in R. Edward Freeman's framework, as an important constraint.<\/p>\n
Concrete managerial implications include:<\/p>\n
\n- Implications for Saudi Arabia's market<\/strong>: early identification of regulatory trends and preemptive business-model adjustment<\/li>\n
- Impact on competitive advantage<\/strong>: monitoring competitors' moves and reviewing one's differentiation strategy<\/li>\n
- Investment decisions<\/strong>: allocation of R&D investment and reconfiguration of the portfolio<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
3. Application to "\u683c\u5dee"<\/h3>\n
The discussion on "\u683c\u5dee" can be located, in R. Edward Freeman's framework, as an auxiliary topic.<\/p>\n
Concrete managerial implications include:<\/p>\n
\n- Implications for Saudi Arabia's market<\/strong>: early identification of regulatory trends and preemptive business-model adjustment<\/li>\n
- Impact on competitive advantage<\/strong>: monitoring competitors' moves and reviewing one's differentiation strategy<\/li>\n
- Investment decisions<\/strong>: allocation of R&D investment and reconfiguration of the portfolio<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
4. Application to "NRIs\u5f37\u5316"<\/h3>\n
The discussion on "NRIs\u5f37\u5316" can be located, in R. Edward Freeman's framework, as an auxiliary topic.<\/p>\n
Concrete managerial implications include:<\/p>\n
\n- Implications for Saudi Arabia's market<\/strong>: early identification of regulatory trends and preemptive business-model adjustment<\/li>\n
- Impact on competitive advantage<\/strong>: monitoring competitors' moves and reviewing one's differentiation strategy<\/li>\n
- Investment decisions<\/strong>: allocation of R&D investment and reconfiguration of the portfolio<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
5. Application to "\u56fd\u9023\u9023\u643a"<\/h3>\n
The discussion on "\u56fd\u9023\u9023\u643a" can be located, in R. Edward Freeman's framework, as an auxiliary topic.<\/p>\n
Concrete managerial implications include:<\/p>\n
\n- Implications for Saudi Arabia's market<\/strong>: early identification of regulatory trends and preemptive business-model adjustment<\/li>\n
- Impact on competitive advantage<\/strong>: monitoring competitors' moves and reviewing one's differentiation strategy<\/li>\n
- Investment decisions<\/strong>: allocation of R&D investment and reconfiguration of the portfolio<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"Strategy](\"https:\/\/nkzw.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/en-mgmt-igf-2024-riyadh-freeman-stakeholder_h2.svg\")
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Strategic Actions for Firms Operating in Saudi Arabia<\/h2>\n
We translate the management analysis above into concrete actions for firms operating in Saudi Arabia.<\/p>\n
Short-term (within 6 months)<\/h3>\n\n- Intelligence gathering<\/strong>: closely read the Global IGF 2024 minutes and reports; share with the corporate strategy function<\/li>\n
- Stakeholder mapping<\/strong>: identify relevant regulators, industry associations, and civil society organizations<\/li>\n
- Risk assessment<\/strong>: quantify potential impacts of the regulatory directions under discussion<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Medium-term (1\u20133 years)<\/h3>\n\n- Capability building<\/strong>: close the capability gaps identified through the Management beyond shareholder primacy<\/strong> framework<\/li>\n
- Alliance strategy<\/strong>: cultivate relationships with the international IGF community<\/li>\n
- Regulatory dialogue<\/strong>: shift from reactive compliance to proactive agenda-setting<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Long-term (3\u201310 years)<\/h3>\n\n- Business model reconstruction<\/strong>: structural transformation informed by R. Edward Freeman's framework<\/li>\n
- Contribution to international standard-setting<\/strong>: sustained participation in venues like Global IGF<\/li>\n
- Norm formation from Saudi Arabia<\/strong>: accumulation of soft power through distinctive contributions to international debate<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
ROI Analysis Perspective<\/h2>\n
In R. Edward Freeman's framework, ROI of investment in Global IGF participation is evaluated not as a single-year financial metric but as multi-year option value. This aligns with the "real options" approach to decision-making under uncertainty.<\/p>\n
\n\n\n| Dimension<\/th>\n | Short-term ROI<\/th>\n | Long-term option value<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n |
\n\n| Direct financial<\/td>\n | Limited<\/td>\n | Medium\u2013Large<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
\n| Network capital<\/td>\n | Medium<\/td>\n | Large<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
\n| Brand \/ legitimacy<\/td>\n | Medium<\/td>\n | Large<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
\n| Policy intelligence<\/td>\n | Large<\/td>\n | Medium\u2013Large<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n |
\n| Talent development<\/td>\n | Medium<\/td>\n | Large<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\nConclusion: A Question to Executives<\/h2>\nReading Global IGF 2024 through the auxiliary line of R. Edward Freeman's framework, the conference emerges not as a mere international gathering but as a site of contemporary implementation of Management beyond shareholder primacy<\/strong>. Executives in Saudi Arabia face a strategic choice: passive observer or active participant.<\/p>\nThis essay argues that the latter choice is indispensable for building long-term competitive advantage. R. Edward Freeman's theoretical insight provides the intellectual foundation for that strategic choice.<\/p>\n
\nPrimary Sources<\/strong><\/p>\n |
![\"Thumbnail\"](\"https:\/\/nkzw.jp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/en-mgmt-igf-2024-riyadh-freeman-stakeholder_thumbnail-1.svg\")
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