[tomatocracy]

This is true but all the same is true for privately owned (eg VC backed) companies; maximising return (within whatever risk parameters shareholders are happy to accept) leaves plenty of room for disagreement about what the right way to do that is.

But often a change in ownership can also mean a change in risk tolerance, investment horizon and potentially in management incentives or management team. Some of these changes could align negatively with some customer interests and therefore caution from customers (especially those who worry they might not be seen as future core customers) is understandable when what has changed is unclear.