Mackey's Whole Foods: Stakeholder Theory

Stakeholder Theory

Mackey’s leadership is based on stakeholder theory. Stakeholder theory consists of “A conceptual framework of business ethics and organizational management which addresses moral and ethical values in the management of a business” (“Stakeholder theory”, n.d., para. 1). Ultimately recognizing the responsibility to deliver value and effect change for all parties who may benefit or be at a loss for the decisions made within an organization. Stakeholder theory further solidifies Mackey’s commitment to leading his organization in the fulfillment of their mission – “whole people, whole food, whole plant”. Mackey holds Whole Foods to a standard in which the needs of shareholders are not put before the needs of “employees, customers”, the environment and greater society (Kowitt, 2015, para. 10). Mackey’s aim is to remove the stereotypical notion of organizations as solely out for profit from the mind of consumers. Mackey believes that an organization who only has an eye on the bottom line cannot be successful and is bad for all stakeholders (Kowitt, 2015, para. 21). Mackey leads Whole Foods with the concept that there is no need to sacrifice the value delivered to one group at the expense of the other. The delivery of value to all groups is possible

21). Thus, Mackey’s leadership is based on a commitment and belief that “the fundamental precept that profits and purpose should go together—and that companies that marry the two faithfully will outperform the competition over the long term”