EMPLOYEE OWNERSHIP PROGRAMS

This site focuses on the relationship between employee ownership programs and local economic development.  Specifically, it can serve as a reference guide for public sector officials, private sector practitioners, and students, who are interested in investigating the potential of using employee ownership as a economic adjustment strategy.  Using the topics table listed below, you will be able to learn about:

• various types of Employee Ownership;
• theoretical justifications of using employee ownership as an economic development strategy;
• history of employee ownership in the US;
• role of the economic developer;
• key success factors for employee ownership;
• a framework to evaluate employee ownership
• state agencies who support employee ownership programs; and
• other references and links.

Keep in Mind....

EO programs may be a viable strategy for combating a declining economy, but economic developers need to analyze each situation independently:

• Ownership does NOT equal empowerment
• Clearly define the goals
• Variety of EO forms from which to choose
• Not all EO situations benefit all employees equally
• Use EO in conjunction with other economic development strategies

Definition	Theoretical Justifications
History: US Context	Role of Economic Developer
Key Success Factors	Framework for Evaluation
State Agencies	Resources and Other Links