Directing Public Companies: Company Law and the Stockholder Society

This book examines the legal duties of Directors Of Public Companies in the light of the stakeholder approach to the firm. It considers the theory that directors are not simply agents of corporate shareholders, but have a duty to take into consideration and, where appropriate, balance the interests of several constituencies, each of which has a legitimate stake in the company, its activities and its development. This book is essentially the first to relate the stake holding arguments and Third Way politics, as popularised by commentators such as Will Hutton and Anthony Giddens, to the prospects for reform of company law in an authoritative but accessible format. It is an ideal text for company law, business and politics students, both undergraduate and postgraduate, and will also provide companies with a straightforward and welcome guide to this often-complex area, particularly to the important issues of accountability and regulation.