The global order, regional integration and multiculturally diverse stakeholders: The case of ECOWAS

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to explore how regional organizations manage its affairs, peace-building and economic development focussing on a crucial analytical dimension: the link between global order, regional integration and multi-culturally diverse stakeholders.

Design/methodology/approach

This conceptual paper focusses on the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) by grounding the arguments based on the conceptualization of regional integration and “stakeholder management”. It offers an exploration of concepts of the “new global order”, “multilateralism”, “institutions”, effective stakeholder collaboration and cross-cultural management.

Findings

Defined in terms of EU-style institutionalization’ ECOWAS is one of the modes of regionalism classified as failed. The organization has struggled with the member-states internal crisis, inter-state border crisis, a growing army of unemployed youths, high political-instability, militant terrorism, cybersecurity and farmers-herders conflict. Also, it has a poor implementation of treaties and poor cultural communications.

Originality/value

Besides contributing to the emerging interest in the understanding of how regional organizations improve organizational efficiency, this study develops an interest in stakeholder management from the perspective of political, economic and peace-building organizations with different national, cultural and political experiences.

Citation

Igwe, P.A., Lock, D., Ochinanwata, C., Nwakpu, E.S. and Nwedu, C.N. (2021), "The global order, regional integration and multiculturally diverse stakeholders: The case of ECOWAS", International Journal of Organizational Analysis, Vol. 29 No. 1, pp. 119-135. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOA-10-2019-1896