Who are considered connected stakeholders?

Connected stakeholders are typically those who have a direct relationship with or significant influence over an organization. This includes individuals or groups that are closely involved with the company's operations and can affect or be affected by its decisions and activities.

In this context, the choice that identifies stakeholders as those who are close to the organization accurately reflects this concept. Connected stakeholders often include employees, management, suppliers, and business partners who interact directly with the company and have a vested interest in its performance and outcomes.

The other options, while they may represent stakeholders in a broader sense, do not specifically define what is meant by "connected" stakeholders. For instance, investors are important but may not engage with the company on a daily operational level as connected stakeholders would. Customers who have purchased products are also vital to the business but are not typically involved in the internal processes or strategic decisions. Regulatory bodies have an external oversight function and are crucial for compliance but do not engage with the organization in the manner that connected stakeholders do.