It seems to me that short-term performance incentives are the problem here, not the idea that management should be maximizing shareholder value. IMO, when they

It seems to me that short-term performance incentives are the problem here, not the idea that management should be maximizing shareholder value. IMO, when they focus on the short term, Management will make decisions that may not be in the best interest of the firm/shareholders in the long term. It is in their individual best interest to prop up Quarterly numbers, etc. to help their stock options/bonus.