The power struggle between C-Level and shareholders is up for debate.  And keep in mind that an executive needs to fool the board just long enough to get what he wants.  So even if they eventually wise up, it may be too late.<p>As for the relative power of consumers&#x2F;employees versus shareholders&#x2F;executives - the former are disparate and disorganized and can do little other than vote with their feet (a pretty severe, last-resort option).  The latter are few in number, can concentrate their force and get their way more quickly and efficiently.<p>This is why there needs to be public policies that tilt the playing field back in favor of employees and customers.