Stakeholder theory proposes that businesses should consider the interests of all stakeholders - including customers, suppliers, employees, and investors - not just owners and shareholders. Introduced by Edward Freeman in 1984, it suggests that paying attention to stakeholders leads to greater overall profit. The theory is important because it influences how businesses think about corporate social responsibility and maintaining moral and honorable behavior in order to earn profits. While some criticism argues it needs refinement, stakeholder theory promotes the idea that without ethics, a business focused solely on profits can do more harm than good.