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Going for Growth

Simon Jack learns how the most important business idea of the last century might now change and adapt, and what the consequences will be for all of us in future.

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 麻豆官网首页入口鈥檚 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 final episode he considers how the idea of shareholder value might change and adapt in the next decade.

7 days left to listen

14 minutes

Last on

Fri 31 Jan 2025 13:45

Broadcast

  • Fri 31 Jan 2025 13:45