Conflicting Ideas

Conflicting Ideas

At Walt Disney, the stakeholders may at one point be faced with a compromise. At this point, the creditors and shareholders may be faced with a compromise because of conflicting interests. When it comes to handling the issues of an organization, it is always prudent to hold divided interests but at the end of the day, they must be able to accept the differences and find an amicable solution to their conflicts. Stakeholders are the ones who control the way the business operates within organizations. To ensure that issues are resolved effectively, Walt Disney must handle disputes through empathetic means, considering all areas of interested parties (Rio, 2007).

In this context, it is essential to listen to the interests of each stakeholder because, ultimately, the interests of the two parties should reach a common ground. The main issue among stakeholders was about how the company makes profits and how it offers a return on investment for stakeholders. One group of stakeholders (creditors) wants the organization to prioritize making a profit before distributing returns, whereas the other group (shareholders) expects returns regardless of the company's profitability. Therefore, the compromise revolves around how profits should be distributed among stakeholders.

Background Check of the Stakeholders

The stakeholders’ interest in this case is based on their initial investments in Walt Disney expecting profits. According to McCourt (1999), the contention is that stakeholders are unable to receive the expected returns because the company has not made sufficient profits. This has led to division among stakeholders: some believe profits should be made first before distribution, while others demand their share as per initial agreements (Polkinghorne, 1940). This division of interests has resulted in challenges within the organization, creating a need for negotiation and compromise.

Reasons for the Lack of Resolution

The lack of resolution stems from each stakeholder group feeling entitled to their demands based on their investment interests. The group advocating for immediate profits argues that management's reluctance to generate profits indicates inefficiency and a lack of effort. They believe that forcing the management to prioritize profits will motivate them to work harder. Conversely, the group that advocates patience contends that demanding profits when the organization is experiencing losses is unfair; they believe management should exercise patience as the company recovers. Consequently, the two groups are unable to reconcile their differing perspectives, especially when the organization continues to incur losses (Heiner, 2010).

Finding Common Ground

For stakeholders to reach a consensus aligned with Walt Disney’s vision, they must comprehend the company’s current situation and mutual needs. Both parties should recognize that stakeholder interests are intertwined with the company's ability to generate profits. The first step is understanding that profits are essential for fulfilling stakeholder expectations, implying that Walt Disney should focus on making profits first to satisfy stakeholder interests (Disney & Jackson, 2006). This mutual understanding can pave the way for constructive negotiations and sustainable solutions.

Concerns of Stakeholders

The primary stakeholders in Walt Disney include investors, government agencies, interest groups, and consumers—particularly children. Stakeholders who hold significant influence demand that the company produce profitable content and uphold ethical standards, especially concerning social media and visual content. The government’s involvement necessitates compliance with regulations that prohibit indecent or harmful content, emphasizing the importance of ethical media use (Bradbury, 30-33). This ensures the organization’s reputation remains intact and compliant with legal standards, preventing legal disputes or regulatory penalties.

Similarly, creditors and investors prefer that Disney maintains a reputable image, as reputation directly impacts investment and funding opportunities. A decline in reputation—such as posting inappropriate graphics—could lead to losses, withdrawal of investments, or limitations on financing. Accordingly, Disney must balance stakeholder expectations by ensuring that all media content aligns with societal standards and corporate values (Kaplan et al., 60-67).

Interest groups focusing on societal welfare—such as social activists and lawyers—are also vital stakeholders. Their concern is that Disney’s content should protect children's well-being. Exposing children to inappropriate imagery could invite legal action or damage the brand's credibility. As children are primary consumers and influencers for parental purchasing decisions, Disney has an obligation to produce content that creates a positive imagery, appealing to children through ethos-based visual cues like smiles and engaging atmospheres (George, 35).

Conclusion

Walt Disney plays a critical role in understanding and addressing stakeholder needs. Recognizing diverse stakeholder interests and aligning media content accordingly is crucial for maintaining ethical standards and organizational success. When stakeholder expectations are unmet, the company’s reputation and future viability are at risk. Ensuring that content, especially that aimed at children, upholds ethical and societal standards is fundamental. Effective stakeholder engagement and transparency will foster trust, securing both the company’s image and sustained profitability.

References

• Bradbury, D. (2010). The Kids Are Alright [Social Media]. Engineering & Technology, 10, 30-33.
• Disney, W., & Jackson, K. (2006). Walt Disney. Jackson: University Press of Mississippi.
• Heiner, R. (2010). Conflicting interests. New York: Oxford University Press.
• Kaplan, A. M., & Haenlein, M. (2010). Users of the world, unite! The challenges and opportunities of Social Media. Business Horizons, 53(1), 59-68.
• McCourt, T. (1999). Conflicting communication interests in America. Westport, CT: Praeger.
• Polkinghorne, A. (1940). Walt Disney Story Books: Donald Duck and His Friends. Various publishers.
• Bradbury, D. (2010). The Kids Are Alright [Social Media]. Engineering & Technology, 10, 30-33.
• George, J. (2013). Method and apparatus for analyzing an image to detect and identify patterns. U.S. Patent No. 6,650,779.
• Rio, V. (2007). Once upon a time: Walt Disney, the sources of inspiration for the Disney Studios. Choice Reviews Online, 45(03), 1-3.
• Additional scholarly sources relevant to stakeholder theory and media ethics are recommended for a comprehensive understanding (e.g., Freeman, 1984; Donaldson & Preston, 1995; Bloisi, 2007; Freeman & Reed, 1983; Crane & Matten, 2010).