From a public relations perspective, the significance of this research is threefold.
First, it deals in a political context with theoretical and empirical issues relevant to one
of the primary concerns of the discipline – the management of stakeholder
relationships. Secondly, it raises critically important questions for public relations
professionals who are often in positions of influence with political decision-makers.
What can and should practitioners do to ensure the process of stakeholder consultation
in politics is sufficiently inclusive? Finally, the paper highlights theoretical
implications arising from the similarities between theories developed in the
disciplines of public relations, management and political science.