摘要：The present study aims to analyze how the concept of “legitimacy” has been evolving in the Stakeholders Theory. To that end, an exploratory and qualitative research has been done based on integrative literature review. The results showed that the concept of “legitimacy” still is imprecise and rarely discussed in the stakeholder literature. Few authors have attempted to formulate a definition for the concept and the majority adopts the most accepted definition. Some studies, despite using the term "legitimacy", do not offer any definition employed. Discrepancy related to legitimacy typology, aspects and objectives were found. The concept is commonly adapted to the context and objective which it is being used to. An important factor that contributes to the imprecision in the definition of the term "legitimacy" derives from the use of a very broad concept for "stakeholder". Therefore, the study contributes to the development of the concept of “legitimacy” in regard to Stakeholders Theory.
关键词：Stakeholder Theory;Stakeholders;Legitimacy;Teoria dos Stakeholders;Stakeholders;Legitimidade
