Multistakeholder engagement in the face of stakeholder adversities among globally distributed ICT Projects - A conceptual model and a research agenda

Globally distributed Information and Communication Technology (ICT)projects, typically engage multistakeholders coming from diverse multicultural backgrounds, with varied interests and collaborating across remote geographical locations using different technologies. This is viewed as a significant challenge and of strategic importance in the face of stakeholder adversities. This paper builds on scientific findings in an integrated approach to analyse the stakeholder engagement in globally distributed ICT projects in line with underlying aspects of people, organisation and business environment. The interplays, adversities and strategies in engaging multistakeholders are explored and a research model is conceptualised to showcase the multifaceted constructs, related to people, organisation and business environment that can be combined to create numerous `Themes of Interplay' which can affect several stakeholder adversities and the relevant strategies needed to mitigate such stakeholder adversities. The research focal points are highlighted and an agenda for future research is proposed.