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The Managers

How the most important business idea left academic obscurity to dominate the boardroom.

It鈥檚 been called the dumbest idea in the world. But many believe shareholder value is the most important, the most consequential idea of the last hundred years.

In Prophets of Profit the 成人快手鈥檚 Business Editor Simon Jack discovers why so many believe the prime responsibility of business is to increase profits and maximise returns to shareholders. Simon reveals how this powerful idea was propelled by a few influential individuals from academic cloisters to dominate boardrooms across the world from the 1980s onwards. He shows how the consequences have enriched many people but devastated many too. How the separation of the idea of money-making from other social obligations has led to severe social tensions and a profound misunderstanding of business within communities and governments alike.

Speaking to investors managing trillions, the most powerful union boss in Britain, and CEOs who鈥檝e been at the very top of some of the world鈥檚 biggest companies, Simon tracks how a simple idea became so powerful and why it shapes all of our lives today. In this episode he looks at how the idea changed the role of company executives.

5 days left to listen

14 minutes

Last on

Wed 29 Jan 2025 13:45

Broadcast

  • Wed 29 Jan 2025 13:45