Which statement best describes external stakeholders?

• A. They typically come from partnerships and may include contractors
• B. They are always customers
• C. They reside within your own company only
• D. They have no impact on information sharing

Answer: (A)

External stakeholders are groups or individuals outside your organization who have an interest in its activities and outcomes. They include partners, suppliers, customers, regulators, communities, and contractors—anyone outside the company who you collaborate with or rely on. The statement that they typically come from partnerships and may include contractors fits well because it points to outside relationships that involve working with external entities, such as joint ventures, alliances, or service providers, rather than internal staff.

This view is broader than just customers and isn’t correct to say they reside only inside the company. It also isn’t accurate to claim they have no impact on information sharing, since external partners often require data exchange and governance considerations.