An interesting article from Harvard Business Review on how companies can use investors to their advantage where they specifically discussed the Nikon case:
“The company took note and duly committed to reducing costs at a rate exceeding market contraction. Six months later, with Nikon’s prospects looking much brighter, it was time to check in with investors. Their responses, like Nikon’s fortunes, had reversed course. The very same former major investor who had previously described Nikon’s management as “delusional” had now changed its tune. “I am very impressed with the bold actions you have taken thus far, and I look forward to monitoring your progress from here. It sounds like Nikon will be a very different company five years from now—at a minimum a much more profitable one.” The new attitude was reflected in the company’s share price: One year into its transformation, Nikon’s stock price had risen by 35%.”