Buying into Capitalism? Employee Ownership in a Disconnected Era

Citation

Brown R, McQuaid R, Raeside R, Dutton M, Egdell V & Canduela J (2019) Buying into Capitalism? Employee Ownership in a Disconnected Era. British Journal of Industrial Relations, 57 (1), pp. 62-85. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjir.12309

Abstract
This paper considers whether employee ownership mitigates the negative workplace outcomes identified by the Disconnected Capitalism Thesis (DCT). Drawing on a programme of in-depth interviews with workers and managers in EOBs, the paper reveals how they are partially insulated from the vicissitudes endemic within contemporary capitalism. In contrast to the workplace outcomes envisaged within the DCT, these firms are characterised by strong workforce participation, high levels of employment security, active employee engagement and strong levels of employee creativity. Not only are these features beneficial for productivity and firm performance, they generate a form of “connected” capitalism, partially offsetting wider negative systemic forces at play in the economy.

Keywords
Employee ownership; Disconnected Capitalism; Job security; Employee Voice; Employee Engagement; United Kingdom

Journal
British Journal of Industrial Relations: Volume 57, Issue 1

People

Professor Ronald McQuaid

Emeritus Professor, Management, Work and Organisation