Where did all the ShareHolders Go?

Reading the opening chapter of ‘The Corporation’ I came across an interesting point; that American shareholders in the Early Twentieth Century were “Unable to influence managerial decisions as individuals because their power was too diluted, they were also too broadly dispersed to act collectively. Their consequent loss of power in and control of large corporations turned out to be managers’ gains.”
This was One Hundred years ago!

As most people may know - though never consider - Corporations are funded BY Shareholders. Their entire revenue and very existence relies on the collective funds of thousands (more recently hundreds of thousands) of shares sold to individuals for small individual sums. Because most shareholders have only such a small number of shares, it is nearly impossible to conceive of them (the shareholders) banding together in a large enough multitude to influence, or indeed, control corporate policy. *At least in the minds of the executives and CEO’s of said institutions*

A seemingly understandable point of fact. One that may seem unfair to many, a boon to some, and the status quo to all.
But is this logical equation valid?

Let’s break it up.

•The shares of (major) Corporations are held by numerous shareholders *FACT*

•Most of said shareholders hold only small percentages of shares, which amount to insignificant in relation to the companies own holdings. *FACT*

•INDIVIDUALLY these shareholders, therefor, have a complete lack of influence over managerial practice, or business policy of the corporation(s) they (in technical legal terms) own a part of. *FACT*

So, if I may, I propose some options (newly open to us-the shareholders) in gaining control, or at least influence, over the institutions in which we own parts of, albeit small parts...

Shareholder Message boards - one for each company - in which all persons owning ANY number of shares can comment, suggest, harass, encourage, or philosophize on the policies, operations, practices, workforce, management, and morals of the company.

     Of course, until the corporations themselves would monitor and update such web sites with News, and Proposals, that information would have to be added by conscious Shareholders, OR Anonymous individuals to a separate BULLETIN section of the website.

In practice these Websites (or SHOC’s *Share HOlders Collectives*) could coordinate mass Buy/Sell moves between an assumidly unlimited number of *potential* shareholders.

     OR - in a less aggressive stance - SHOC’s could be used as a gauge by the corporations themselves to understnad what their shareholders want/need/demand/request.

As the author has little/no knowledge of specific corporate policies and internal regulations, He can not, at this time, offer all possible powers of such SHOC’s - though the author would be pleased to hear opinions/comments/encouragment/insults/assistance in this Idea.

-Child of Reason-