Information needs and rights of shareholders

Abstract

Thesis commences by grappling with the fundamental issues of knowledge, information and communication. The author develops fundamental definitions of each of these. In particular the author defines communication as the endeavour of passing knowledge by information from one person to another. This definition is purposive and therefore requires a focus on the nature of the relationship between speaker and audience and in particular the information needs of the audience. Translated to the corporate context the respective roles of directors and shareholders are deconstructed in order to determine shareholders' information needs. At the stage shareholders should be regarded as monitors and investors.