Employee participation, job quality, and inequality

FitzRoy, Felix R.; Nolan, Michael A.

Abstract

Purpose
The purpose is to review the effects of employee participation (EP) in decision-making, ownership and profit on job quality, worker well-being and productivity, and derive policy recommendations from the findings.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors summarise results of “declining labour power”, plus theoretical arguments and empirical evidence for the benefits of EP for job quality, satisfaction and productivity.
Findings
Worker well-being and job satisfaction are ignored unless they contribute directly to profitability. EP is needed to remedy this situation when employers have market power and unions are weak. The result can be a rise in both productivity and well-being.
Research limitations/implications
The chief issue here is that there are data limitations, particularly on the well-being effects of participation.
Practical implications
Lots of encouraging examples in many countries need legislative help to multiply.
Social implications
It is quite possible that there could be major implications for welfare and employment.
Originality/value
The authors make the case for public sector subsidies for employee buyouts and new cooperative start-ups, as well as legislation for works councils and profit sharing.

Citation

FitzRoy, F. R., & Nolan, M. A. (in press). Employee participation, job quality, and inequality. Journal of Participation and Employee Ownership, https://doi.org/10.1108/jpeo-05-2020-0014

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 12, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Sep 21, 2021
• Deposit Date: Feb 4, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 27, 2022
• Journal: Journal of Participation and Employee Ownership
• Publisher: Emerald
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/jpeo-05-2020-0014
• Keywords: Employee buyouts; Employee participation; Job quality; Inequality
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/3920791