Who is defined as someone affected by the outcomes of a company's actions?

The correct answer indicates that a stakeholder is defined as someone affected by the outcomes of a company's actions. This is an important concept in business ethics and corporate governance.

Stakeholders encompass a broad range of individuals and groups that have an interest or impact in a company’s operations. This can include employees, customers, suppliers, investors, community members, and even the environment. The actions of a company can have direct and indirect effects on these parties; for example, a company's decision to lay off workers would affect employees and potentially the local economy.

Understanding who stakeholders are is crucial for ethical decision-making within organizations. It encourages companies to consider the implications of their decisions on everyone involved, promoting accountability and responsible business practices. In contrast, while beneficiaries, shareholders, and partners may be relevant in specific contexts, they do not encapsulate the wider range of people and entities that may be impacted by a company’s decisions. Thus, recognizing a stakeholder's role emphasizes the need for companies to operate ethically and be mindful of their broader impact.