Case: Stakeholder Conflict

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Outlet Center Rhoon?

26-09-2025 313 views 0

Stakeholder Conflict

Plans have been made to build a new Outlet Center in Rhoon, just south of Rotterdam.

The center will include fashion shops and a food court with KFC and Burger King. Supporters believe the project will bring jobs and attract visitors from the whole region. But not everyone is happy:

Local residents fear traffic jams, litter, and groups of young people hanging around.
The municipality supports the plan, hoping to reduce pressure on Rotterdam city centre and to create new jobs.
Fast-food chains (KFC, Burger King) see a chance to expand and make profit.

These are just examples. Other stakeholders may also be relevant.

In this assignment you will investigate the different stakeholders in the Rhoon Outlet Center case. You will describe who they are, explain their interests and possible concerns, analyse where conflicts may appear, and finally give advice on how the company could respond.

The term ‘Conflict’ explained
In this assignment, ‘conflict’ does not mean a fight or argument. It simply means that two stakeholders want different things. For example: the developer wants more visitors, but the residents want less traffic. This difference in interests is what we call a conflict.

You may also look for examples of similar projects that faced resistance. If you use such a case as inspiration, write down the source briefly (title + website or article).

Mind: AI is not an external source. You may use AI tools to help you think, structure your text, or check your English. But never as your only source. If you use AI, write one short line at the end of your work that explains how you used it.

Why this assignment matters

When new projects are developed, interests often clash.
Understanding these conflicts is a key skill in business. It prepares you for real situations where you must listen to different voices, weigh their concerns, and find workable compromises. This is valuable whether you will work in communication, project management, or your own future business.

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Assignments for students

What to do?

Identify stakeholders
Decide which stakeholders are most relevant in this case.
Explain interests
Describe what these stakeholders want and what they fear. Use clues from the case and add your own insights.
Analyse conflicts
Identify and explain three to five conflicts between stakeholder interests.
Give advice
Write short advice to the company:
- How could it deal with local resistance?
- What kind of communication or compromise might help?

Assessment criteria

Stakeholder identification

Pass: You identify relevant stakeholders in this case.
Merit/Distinction: You identify additional stakeholders that are relevant beyond the case description.

Interests

Pass: You explain what the identified stakeholders want and what they fear.
Merit/Distinction: You give detailed explanations that include insights beyond the case description.

Conflict analysis

Pass: You explain at least three conflicts between stakeholder interests.
Merit/Distinction: You explain four or five conflicts and link them clearly to the project context.

Advice

Pass: You give at least one concrete suggestion for how the company could respond.
Merit/Distinction: You give two or more well-argued suggestions, linked to stakeholder analysis and realistic in practice.

Submitting your assignment

Submit your work using the Core button in Businessbase.

First, enter your name and email correctly — otherwise you will not receive the PDF with your answers. Then follow the guiding questions. Answer them as carefully as you can. A small spelling mistake is no problem, but careless input or AI-generated answers will not count as a source.

Core assignments for students

Discover whether you master the essence of this case by completing the corresponding core assignments. If necessary, you can share your answers with your teacher or supervisor.

Case: Stakeholder Conflict | Outlet Center Rhoon?

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1. Stakeholders*

Think about the Outlet Center in Rhoon. Who are the main groups or organisations that have a stake in this project? Write down 4–6 stakeholders. Include at least one stakeholder that is not mentioned in the case.

2. Interests and concerns*

Choose the three stakeholders you think are most important. What do they want from this project? What do they fear or want to avoid?

3. Stakeholder Conflicts*

Different stakeholders sometimes want different things: the stakeholder conflict. Write down three to five conflicts.

4a. Advice — local resistance*

How could the developer deal with local resistance?

4b. Advice — communication and compromise*

What kind of communication or compromise might help in this project?

4c. Advice — risks or limitations

What risk or limitation do you see in your advice?

5. Learn from others / Similar cases

Do you know a similar project that faced resistance?

6. What are the three most important things you personally learned from this assignment?*

7. AI use (if applicable)

If you used AI, be transparent. Write one short line that explains how you used it.”

8. Final check — before you submit*

Select all that apply to your work.

I identified 4–6 stakeholders and included at least one not in the case.

I explained their wants and fears in my own words.

I wrote down 3–5 problems or conflicts between stakeholders and showed why they matter.

My advice is realistic and linked to my analysis.

Do you want to add any other information, relevant to this assignment? If so, keep it short.

Recommended by teachers

Case method | Cooperative learning

Concrete, realistic situations are individually analysed; afterwards, the resulting vision is presented and discussed in the group.
The individual’s vision is reappraised after seeking additional information. The different visions are selected and appraised.

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Edvard Spaapen

Editor of content during development stage