Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Get started
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
The Shareholder Value Myth summary
Brief summary
The Shareholder Value Myth by Lynn A. Stout challenges the belief that a company's sole purpose is to maximize shareholder profits. It offers a new perspective on corporate governance and advocates for a more balanced approach to creating value.
Topics
Table of Contents
The Shareholder Value Myth
Summary of key ideas
The Shareholder Value Myth
In The Shareholder Value Myth, Lynn A. Stout challenges the widely accepted notion that the primary goal of a corporation is to maximize shareholder value. She argues that this belief is not only legally and economically flawed but also harmful to the long-term success of companies and the economy as a whole.
Stout begins by examining the origins of the shareholder value maximization theory, tracing it back to a 1970s article by economist Milton Friedman. According to this theory, the only social responsibility of a corporation is to increase its profits, and the best way to do so is by focusing solely on the interests of shareholders.
However, Stout points out that this theory is based on a misinterpretation of corporate law. She explains that while shareholders are important, they are not the corporation's only stakeholders. Employees, customers, suppliers, and the community are also vital to a company's success, and their interests should be taken into account.
The Downside of Shareholder Value Maximization
Stout then delves into the negative consequences of the shareholder value maximization theory. She argues that this narrow focus on short-term profits can lead to decisions that are detrimental to the long-term health of the company. For example, companies may cut research and development, reduce employee benefits, or neglect environmental concerns in pursuit of immediate gains.
Furthermore, Stout highlights that the relentless pursuit of shareholder value can lead to unethical behavior. Executives may be tempted to manipulate financial results, engage in risky activities, or even commit fraud to meet short-term targets and boost stock prices.
Reframing the Purpose of Corporations
Having dismantled the shareholder value maximization theory, Stout proposes a new framework for understanding the purpose of corporations. She suggests that the primary goal of a company should be to create value for all its stakeholders, not just shareholders. This approach, known as 'stakeholder theory,' emphasizes the importance of balancing the interests of all parties involved.
Stout argues that by taking a broader view of corporate purpose, companies can achieve sustainable long-term growth and contribute positively to society. They can foster employee loyalty, build strong customer relationships, and earn the trust of the community, all of which are essential for their success.
Implementing Stakeholder-Oriented Governance
In the final part of The Shareholder Value Myth, Stout discusses how companies can transition from a shareholder-focused to a stakeholder-oriented governance model. She suggests that corporate boards should be more diverse and inclusive, representing the interests of all stakeholders. Additionally, she advocates for greater transparency and accountability in corporate decision-making.
Stout also emphasizes the role of investors in promoting stakeholder-oriented governance. She encourages them to consider a company's long-term sustainability and social impact, rather than just its short-term financial performance. By doing so, investors can influence companies to adopt more responsible and ethical business practices.
In Conclusion
In conclusion, The Shareholder Value Myth presents a compelling argument against the prevailing belief that corporations exist solely to maximize shareholder value. Lynn A. Stout challenges us to rethink the purpose of companies and consider the interests of all stakeholders. By doing so, she believes we can create a more sustainable and equitable form of capitalism.
How do we create content on this page?
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is The Shareholder Value Myth about?
The Shareholder Value Myth by Lynn A. Stout challenges the widely accepted belief that a company's primary goal should be to maximize shareholder value. Stout argues that this narrow focus can be detrimental to the long-term success of a business and offers alternative perspectives on how companies can create sustainable value for all stakeholders.
The Shareholder Value Myth Review
The Shareholder Value Myth (2012) challenges the prevailing notion that the sole purpose of corporations is to maximize shareholder value. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- Offers insightful analysis and thought-provoking arguments that shed light on the detrimental effects of prioritizing shareholder value over long-term sustainability.
- Provides a nuanced understanding of the role and responsibilities of corporations in society, encouraging readers to reconsider the prevailing narrative.
- Poses compelling alternatives to the conventional shareholder value model, sparking discussions about creating more responsible and sustainable business practices.
Who should read The Shareholder Value Myth?
- Business leaders and executives seeking to broaden their understanding of corporate responsibility
- Investors looking for alternative metrics to evaluate company performance
- Entrepreneurs and startup founders aiming to build sustainable and socially responsible businesses
Categories with The Shareholder Value Myth
Book summaries like The Shareholder Value Myth
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.8 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
35 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
The Shareholder Value Myth FAQs
What is the main message of The Shareholder Value Myth?
The main message of The Shareholder Value Myth is that shareholder primacy is harmful and there's a need to redefine the purpose of corporations.
How long does it take to read The Shareholder Value Myth?
The reading time for The Shareholder Value Myth varies, but it typically takes a few hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in about 15 minutes.
Is The Shareholder Value Myth a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Shareholder Value Myth is worth reading as it challenges conventional wisdom surrounding corporate governance and offers thought-provoking insights.
Who is the author of The Shareholder Value Myth?
Lynn A. Stout is the author of The Shareholder Value Myth.
What to read after The Shareholder Value Myth?
If you're wondering what to read next after The Shareholder Value Myth, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Basic Economics by Thomas Sowell
- The Ascent of Money by Niall Ferguson
- Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
- The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss
- Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki
- Secrets of the Millionaire Mind by T. Harv Eker
- The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason
- Business Adventures by John Brooks
- The Most Important Thing by Howard Marks
- More Money Than God by Sebastian Mallaby
Featured Titles
- Risk Management in Social Work
- Stock Trader's Almanac
- The Business Owner's Definitive Guide to Captive Insurance Companies
- The Five Rules for Successful Stock Investing
- The Lexus and the Olive Tree
- The Little Book That Beats the Market
- The Panama Papers
- The XVA of Financial Derivatives
- Trading Price Action Reversals
- Women & Money