The Financial Trap of Short-Term Focus Eroding Long-Term Value in Financial Management: A Theoretical Analysis

Shareholder short-term thinking, driven by a focus on immediate financial returns, poses significant risks to sustainable corporate growth and long-term societal well-being. This paper investigates the mechanisms through which short-term profit maximization fosters corporate decision-making that sac...

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Main Author: Stacey L. Morin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Academic Research and Publishing UG 2024-12-01
Series:Financial Markets, Institutions and Risks
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Online Access:https://armgpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/FMIR_4_2024_9.pdf
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author Stacey L. Morin
author_facet Stacey L. Morin
author_sort Stacey L. Morin
collection DOAJ
description Shareholder short-term thinking, driven by a focus on immediate financial returns, poses significant risks to sustainable corporate growth and long-term societal well-being. This paper investigates the mechanisms through which short-term profit maximization fosters corporate decision-making that sacrifices long-term value creation, culminating in organizational greed and systemic inefficiencies. Through a comprehensive literature review and analysis, the paper explored the historical roots of short-termism, regulatory frameworks, and potential solutions to mitigate the adverse impacts of this phenomenon. The relevance of this research lies in the critical role shareholder decision-making plays in shaping corporate strategies, societal outcomes, and the sustainability of the global economy. By addressing how short-term shareholder thinking fosters greed and undermines long-term value creation, this paper highlights the systemic risks and ethical implications of prioritizing immediate financial gains over sustainable growth. This article employs a conceptual analysis grounded in agency theory, stakeholder theory, and the myopic market hypothesis to examine how aligning executive incentives, fostering stakeholder engagement, and countering market pressures can address the negative effects of short-termism. The author leveraged the concepts from these theories. The author's contribution to solving the scientific problem under study involves a conceptual framework application for mitigating short-term shareholder focus and concentrating on long-term value. The findings underscore the need for governance reforms and stakeholder-centric approaches, making the research pivotal for fostering resilient and responsible corporate practices that benefit both businesses and society at large.
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series Financial Markets, Institutions and Risks
spelling doaj-art-dceae3917f7a460889fedfdf6329da4f2025-01-15T13:01:34ZengAcademic Research and Publishing UGFinancial Markets, Institutions and Risks2521-12502521-12422024-12-018414816210.61093/fmir.8(4).148-162.2024The Financial Trap of Short-Term Focus Eroding Long-Term Value in Financial Management: A Theoretical AnalysisStacey L. Morin0https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2935-8332Doctoral Candidate, Marymount University, Business Innovation Leadership and Technology, USAShareholder short-term thinking, driven by a focus on immediate financial returns, poses significant risks to sustainable corporate growth and long-term societal well-being. This paper investigates the mechanisms through which short-term profit maximization fosters corporate decision-making that sacrifices long-term value creation, culminating in organizational greed and systemic inefficiencies. Through a comprehensive literature review and analysis, the paper explored the historical roots of short-termism, regulatory frameworks, and potential solutions to mitigate the adverse impacts of this phenomenon. The relevance of this research lies in the critical role shareholder decision-making plays in shaping corporate strategies, societal outcomes, and the sustainability of the global economy. By addressing how short-term shareholder thinking fosters greed and undermines long-term value creation, this paper highlights the systemic risks and ethical implications of prioritizing immediate financial gains over sustainable growth. This article employs a conceptual analysis grounded in agency theory, stakeholder theory, and the myopic market hypothesis to examine how aligning executive incentives, fostering stakeholder engagement, and countering market pressures can address the negative effects of short-termism. The author leveraged the concepts from these theories. The author's contribution to solving the scientific problem under study involves a conceptual framework application for mitigating short-term shareholder focus and concentrating on long-term value. The findings underscore the need for governance reforms and stakeholder-centric approaches, making the research pivotal for fostering resilient and responsible corporate practices that benefit both businesses and society at large.https://armgpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/FMIR_4_2024_9.pdfagency theorycorporate governancefinancefinancial managementfinancial marketsmyopic market hypothesisshareholderstakeholder theoryshort-termism
spellingShingle Stacey L. Morin
The Financial Trap of Short-Term Focus Eroding Long-Term Value in Financial Management: A Theoretical Analysis
Financial Markets, Institutions and Risks
agency theory
corporate governance
finance
financial management
financial markets
myopic market hypothesis
shareholder
stakeholder theory
short-termism
title The Financial Trap of Short-Term Focus Eroding Long-Term Value in Financial Management: A Theoretical Analysis
title_full The Financial Trap of Short-Term Focus Eroding Long-Term Value in Financial Management: A Theoretical Analysis
title_fullStr The Financial Trap of Short-Term Focus Eroding Long-Term Value in Financial Management: A Theoretical Analysis
title_full_unstemmed The Financial Trap of Short-Term Focus Eroding Long-Term Value in Financial Management: A Theoretical Analysis
title_short The Financial Trap of Short-Term Focus Eroding Long-Term Value in Financial Management: A Theoretical Analysis
title_sort financial trap of short term focus eroding long term value in financial management a theoretical analysis
topic agency theory
corporate governance
finance
financial management
financial markets
myopic market hypothesis
shareholder
stakeholder theory
short-termism
url https://armgpublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/FMIR_4_2024_9.pdf
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