Title: Stakeholder Engagement And Corporate Reputation Of Electoral Bodies In Nigeria
Authors: ABAGUS, OYINESO ANGELA, ADEKEMI D. ALAGAH , OMOANKHANLEN J. AKHIGBE
Volume: 9
Issue: 8
Pages: 312-322
Publication Date: 2025/08/28
Abstract:
This study investigated the relationship between stakeholder engagement and corporate reputation, focusing on social attractiveness and transparent decision-making as proxies, within Nigeria's electoral bodies. Adopting a cross-sectional research design grounded in a positivist paradigm, data were collected from 247 state chairmen of 18 registered political parties across Nigeria's 36 states, selected using Taro Yamane's formula from a population of 648. A structured 39-item questionnaire, validated through face and content validity assessments, captured stakeholder engagement and corporate reputation dimensions, with data analyzed using Kendall's tau-b correlation coefficient. The findings revealed a significant positive correlation between stakeholder engagement and social attractiveness (? = 0.364, p < 0.01), indicating that inclusive engagement practices enhance perceptions of trustworthiness and inclusivity. A weaker but significant correlation was found with transparent decision-making (? = 0.153, p < 0.01), suggesting limited impact due to systemic challenges. Grounded in Social Learning Theory, the study concluded that stakeholder engagement fosters trust and cooperation, though transparency perceptions require further improvement to bolster electoral legitimacy. Recommendations include establishing quarterly consultative forums and digital platforms to enhance social attractiveness, and implementing digital reporting systems and oversight committees to improve transparent decision-making. These measures aim to strengthen stakeholder trust and public confidence in Nigeria's electoral processes by addressing engagement and transparency gaps.