Should Apple Disclose Its Steve Jobs Succession Plans?

Apple shareholders are meeting on Wednesday in Cupertino, CA to discuss the company’s future. And they–like the rest of us–have one burning question: who will eventually succeed Steve Jobs? Unlike the rest of us, however, the shareholders may be able to wrangle an answer out of the notoriously secretive technology company. “Under a resolution slated for a vote at Apple’s shareholder meeting, the board would be asked to disclose plans for replacing Jobs and explain how it’s nurturing the executive team under him,” reports Bloomberg. Naturally, Apple executives are opposing the measure, saying that “revealing secret plans would aid competitors and make it harder to retain executives.”

Here’s a snapshot of the arguments in favor, and against, succession disclosure:

In Favor:

Institutional Shareholder Services said all companies should have succession plans in place, and Apple shareholders would benefit by having a report on the company’s succession plans disclosed annually. “Such a report would enable shareholders to judge the board on its readiness and willingness to meet the demands of succession planning based on the circumstances at that time,” ISS said.

Against:


Source: The Atlantic

Date: February 23, 2011