Cost rationalization could also lead to a reduction in the quality of the ice cream, affecting customers. The company could cease being an emblem for the state. These are important risk factors in the decision process, but the lid to Pandora s Box is no longer in place. If the directors decline a bid, responding to the concerns of their broader community of stakeholders, who desire the company to remain as it is in Vermont, they could open themselves to lawsuits from angry minority shareholders alleging that they were deprived of justified profits. If they accept a bid, they could irretrievably alter the culture of a unique company and economically injure many other stakeholders.
Minority shareholders have rights, with other stakeholders.
Not everyone will be happy, but a sounder future for this company will be assured. At least the stock price jumped up after the announcement of the bid.