Abstract:

In spite of the fact that shareholders can, collectively, wield a great deal of power over the destinies of private companies, research into their attitudes is a relatively uncommon event. Where it does occur it rarely extends beyond a focus on reactions to the company's annual report, or accompanying mailed literature. Companies are prepared to spend money on surveying attitudes of customers, the general public, employees and 'opinion leaders' but much less commonly the views of those who actually own them - even though they can number tens of thousands.