Navigating Competing Stakeholder Demands for Socially Contentious Issues Amid Public Backlash

This qualitative empirical study examines how global leaders navigate competing stakeholder demands surrounding socially contentious issues amid public backlash. Drawing on the decision-making experiences of 11 diverse global executives, the study explores how leaders interpret and respond to stakeholder pressures across different societal and cultural contexts. Findings inform a global leadership framework emphasizing balanced, culturally aware, and anticipative decision-making for effective stakeholder management during backlash. The study offers both theoretical and practical insights for leaders managing socially sensitive issues across diverse organizational and cultural environments.