Billions of dollars continue to be lost by companies and investors due to the pervasive impact of manipulative, self-serving executives. Financial scandals aren't unknown in U.S. business history, but today's growing problem of executive excesses and self-serving behavior is unprecedented in both its persistence and pervasiveness. Executives continue to plunder their companies and rip off their stockholders. This book reveals the true breadth and depth of corporate corruption—including flagrant new cases that haven't received the publicity they deserve. More important, it answers the questions that matter most: Why now? And how can we stop it? The authors identify powerful forces that cut across management, finance, the economy, politics, and even psychology. They identify rarely discussed contributing factors, such as the consulting boom, new technologies used by accounting and auditing professionals, the transformation of business schools, journalism, and the media in general. This book addresses both criminal activity and the not-quite-illegal abuses that are now endemic in the executive suite—abuses that challenge the underpinnings of capitalism. Its deep insights will help both leaders and citizens understand exactly what's happened and what is needed to stem the tide of destructive behavior.

• How the tail started wagging the dog

• The unanticipated consequences of large-scale executive stock ownership

• The technology of deceit

• How information technology makes abuse easier to execute—and easier to hide

• The silence of the lambs

• How the media and academia contribute to the problem

• The mythic executive

• Overwhelming greed, excessive compensation...and feet of clay

© Copyright Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

Billions of dollars continue to be lost by companies and investors due to the pervasive impact of manipulative, self-serving executives. Financial scandals aren't unknown in U.S. business history, but today's growing problem of executive excesses and self-serving behavior is unprecedented in both its persistence and pervasiveness. Executives continue to plunder their companies and rip off their stockholders. This book reveals the true breadth and depth of corporate corruption—including flagrant new cases that haven't received the publicity they deserve. More important, it answers the questions that matter most: Why now? And how can we stop it? The authors identify powerful forces that cut across management, finance, the economy, politics, and even psychology. They identify rarely discussed contributing factors, such as the consulting boom, new technologies used by accounting and auditing professionals, the transformation of business schools, journalism, and the media in general. This book addresses both criminal activity and the not-quite-illegal abuses that are now endemic in the executive suite—abuses that challenge the underpinnings of capitalism. Its deep insights will help both leaders and citizens understand exactly what's happened and what is needed to stem the tide of destructive behavior.

• How the tail started wagging the dog

• The unanticipated consequences of large-scale executive stock ownership

• The technology of deceit

• How information technology makes abuse easier to execute—and easier to hide

• The silence of the lambs

• How the media and academia contribute to the problem

• The mythic executive

• Overwhelming greed, excessive compensation...and feet of clay

© Copyright Pearson Education. All rights reserved.

This is the eBook version of the printed book.

Billions of dollars continue to be lost by companies and investors due to the pervasive impact of manipulative, self-serving executives. Financial scandals aren't unknown in U.S. business history, but today's growing problem of executive excesses and self-serving behavior is unprecedented in both its persistence and pervasiveness. Executives continue to plunder their companies and rip off their stockholders. This book reveals the true breadth and depth of corporate corruption-including flagrant new cases that haven't received the publicity they deserve. More important, it answers the questions that matter most: Why now? And how can we stop it? The authors identify powerful forces that cut across management, finance, the economy, politics, and even psychology. They identify rarely discussed contributing factors, such as the consulting boom, new technologies used by accounting and auditing professionals, the transformation of business schools, journalism, and the media in general. This book addresses both criminal activity and the not-quite-illegal abuses that are now endemic in the executive suite-abuses that challenge the underpinnings of capitalism. Its deep insights will help both leaders and citizens understand exactly what's happened and what is needed to stem the tide of destructive behavior.

• How the tail started wagging the dog
• The unanticipated consequences of large-scale executive stock ownership
• The technology of deceit
• How information technology makes abuse easier to execute-and easier to hide
• The silence of the lambs
• How the media and academia contribute to the problem
• The mythic executive
• Overwhelming greed, excessive compensation...and feet of clay