Companies exist for the benefit of three groups of people:
: the shareholders
: the employees
: the customers
We all know about the shareholders - thanks to Margaret Thatcher and an enterprise culture. Furthermore, if we have pensions or investments, we know all the more, because the shareholders in plc's are also providing the returns that will pay us when we retire. Hence the amazing promise of 10% profit from revenue from BA - Eddington had to promise something spectacular to hold onto institutional shareholders.
Private companies don't have that excuse - although it's certainly the case that they don't get much of a return from investment.
The origins of companies were also in the interests of employees. These were the "worshipful companies" in the middle ages. For modern companies, look at organisations such as Cadbury's, Lever Brothers etc etc. All were seeking a return from investment - but all also recognised the needs of their employees for welfare. Curiously, a lot of these were run by people with a Christian ethos. Bet they didn't tell you that in O-level history.
Employees rights were eroded to further benefit shareholders under Margaret Thatcher. Because, of course, there is no society, there are only individuals.
As for the customers, if you don't make them happy, the company doesn't keep going. So hopefully it offers a product that people want.