Stakeholder Management in Private vs Public Sectors : A Qualitative Case Study of the European Central Bank and Equinix Company

This thesis examines stakeholder management in public projects compare to private projects, focusing on the European Central Bank’s Digital Euro initiative, with comparative insights from Equinix’s financial projects. Through a qualitative case study involving five semi-structured interviews, we identify the limitations of stakeholder management in both ECB and Equinix approach. To solve this gap, we propose Polycentric Governance Theory as a more effective framework. Findings highlight the ECB’s inclusive, public-oriented approach versus Equinix’s internal efficiency focus, emphasizing PGT’s potential to enhance collaboration, reduce disintermediation risks, and ensure CBDC project success. Practical strategies are suggested to improve stakeholder coordination for Central Banks.