Within the Position-Importance Matrix, problematic stakeholders or publics are defined as:

a) likely to oppose or be hostile to the organization's course of action and hold power or influence over the organization

b) likely to support the organization's course of action but relatively unimportant and lack of power or influence.

c) likely to support the organization's course of action and important in terms of power and influence.

d) likely to oppose or be hostile to the organization's course of action but unimportant to the organization because they aren't usually important stakeholders and have little power to exert serious pressure.