ABSTRACT
This chapter reinforces the three-strand structure of this inquiry by examining each strand in detail to show how the key findings relate to relevant theoretical concepts. The first strand shareholders' values argues from both theoretical and empirical standpoints that the motivational value of a prosperous life is not the dominant value that shareholders live by or focus on when they make share-buying decisions. The second strand qualities expected of company directors shows that shareholders expect a much wider range, and higher standards of behaviour from directors than for themselves. The third strand shareholders' corporate social responsibility (CSR) concerns shows that shareholders do discriminate between companies' responsibilities to each individual stakeholder group, as shown in the hierarchy of shareholders' concerns. The conclusion is that shareholders do not meet the stereotype of being strictly rational self-interested economic maximisers.
