Which of the following is NOT an example of a stakeholder?

Stakeholders are individuals or groups that have an interest in or are affected by the actions of a business. They can influence or be influenced by the company’s performance and decisions.

The correct answer reflects this understanding. Competitors do not fit the definition of a stakeholder because they operate independently in the market and primarily interact in ways that are competitive rather than collaborative or influential regarding the company's operations. While competitors can impact market dynamics and competitive strategy, they do not have a vested interest in the internal workings or decisions of a company in the same way that employees, customers, and regulators do.

Employees represent stakeholders as they are directly involved in the company's operations and their wellbeing can influence productivity and morale. Customers are also stakeholders since their satisfaction and loyalty can directly impact a business's success. Government regulators are key stakeholders as they impose laws and regulations that companies must comply with, thus impacting their operations. In contrast, competitors are external to this stakeholder framework, as their primary concern is their own business performance rather than the direct effects of a particular company's actions.