Final answer:
The statement in question is false; a firm's reliance on a stakeholder group typically increases that group's influence, not decrease it. The influence may vary between direct personal influence in management decisions and the collective influence through investment in the firm.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that the degree to which the firm is dependent on a stakeholder group gives that stakeholder less influence is false. In fact, the more a firm is dependent on a stakeholder group, the more influence that stakeholder typically has. Stakeholders can include various groups like employees, customers, shareholders, and suppliers. For instance, if a firm is heavily reliant on a few key suppliers, those suppliers have significant bargaining power and can influence the firm's decisions. Similarly, if a firm depends on a small group of major customers, those customers can exert considerable influence over the firm's policies and strategies.
For shareholders, the situation is slightly different. As a firm establishes itself and projects profitability, information transparency increases, which can attract investors who are not personally familiar with management. These bondholders and shareholders, while crucial for capital provision, do not necessarily possess the same level of personal influence as those with close ties to management, although their collective power as a group through their investment decisions is still significant.