The Shareholder Value Myth

How Putting Shareholders First Harms Investors, Corporations, and the Public

By: Lynn Stout

Narrated by: Elaine Kellner

Executives, investors, and the business press routinely chant the mantra that corporations are required to "maximize shareholder value." In this path-breaking book, renowned corporate expert Lynn Stout debunks the myth that corporate law mandates shareholder primacy. Stout shows how shareholder value thinking endangers not only investors but the rest of us as well. It leads managers to focus myopically on short-term earnings; discourages investment and innovation; harms employees, customers, and communities; and causes companies to indulge in reckless, sociopathic, and irresponsible behaviors. Additionally, Stout looks at new models of corporate purpose that better serve the needs of investors, corporations, and society.

©2012 Lynn Stout (P)2015 Lynn Stout

Thanks for your hard work and a needed insight

The ideas and understanding that you have provided cause a whole new outlook for my longer term investment plans. It Hopefully helps in my future selections and the effort that I will exert before utilizing equity markets

Lynn Stout’s amazing book

Truly exceptional because it takes a bird’s eye view of corporate America. Highly recommend it.

Excellent and Scholarly

Awesome and thought provoking book. A must read for all lawyers, directors, shareholders, and investors.

Are public stock companies their own worst enemy?

If you could sum up The Shareholder Value Myth in three words, what would they be?

Detailed and provocative

Any additional comments?

This is a comprehensive look at how corporate management in America has lost it's way.

I would have appreciated more detailed case studies of management failures, such as Enron and Continental baking.