Final answer:
Special interest groups are external stakeholders, well-organized and focused on specific issues, such as influencing legislation for their benefit even at the cost of wider societal good.
Step-by-step explanation:
Special interest groups are considered external stakeholders who attempt to influence public policy and decision-making to support their specific interests. These groups are typically well-organized, small in size relative to the nation, but very active in their lobbying efforts. A clear example of the influence of special interest groups is when they pressure legislators to enact policies that heavily favor their interests — for instance, lobbying against an environmental rule that would reduce air pollution but cost several large companies millions of dollars, even though the societal benefits greatly outweigh the costs.