Which stakeholder group represents the owners of a business?

The correct answer is that shareholders represent the owners of a business. Shareholders are individuals or entities that own shares or stock in a company, which gives them a claim on part of the company’s assets and earnings. Their primary interest is in the profitability and sustainability of the business, as their investment value is directly tied to the company's performance.

In contrast, directors are appointed to manage the company's operations on behalf of the shareholders, but they do not hold ownership stakes unless they are also shareholders. Employees are the workforce of the company and have an interest in job security and compensation, but they do not own the company. Suppliers provide goods or services to the business and are concerned with customer relations and contract fulfillment, rather than ownership. Thus, shareholders are the only group among the choices that represents the actual owners of the business.