Which group is NOT typically considered a stakeholder in a business?

In the context of stakeholder theory, stakeholders are individuals or groups that have an interest in the success and actions of a business. Employees, customers, and suppliers are all integral parts of a business's ecosystem. Employees contribute to the operations and success of the organization, customers drive the demand for products and services, and suppliers provide the necessary resources to produce those products or deliver services.

Competitors, on the other hand, are generally not considered stakeholders because they do not have a vested interest in the company's success. Instead, they operate independently in the same market, often vying for the same customers and resources. Their relationship with a business is more adversarial than collaborative, focusing on competing rather than sharing interests that influence the company's performance. Therefore, while competitors are important in understanding the market landscape, they do not fall under the traditional definition of a stakeholder in the context of direct business relationships.