About | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline
LOG IN
LOG IN

49 Indus. & Lab. Rel. Rev. 58 (1995-1996)
Worker Participation and Productivity in Labor-Managed and Participatory Capitalist Firms: A Meta-Analysis

handle is hein.journals/ialrr49 and id is 60 raw text is: WORKER PARTICIPATION AND PRODUCTIVITY IN LABOR-MANAGED AND PARTICIPATORY CAPITALIST FIRMS: A META-ANALYSIS CHRIS DOUCOULIAGOS* Using meta-analytic techniques, the author synthesizes the results of 43 published studies to investigate the effects on productivity of various forms of worker participation: worker participation in decision making; mandated codetermination; profit sharing; worker ownership (employee stock ownership or individual worker ownership of the firm's assets); and collective ownership of assets (workers' collective ownership of reserves over which they have no individual claim). He finds that codetermination laws are negatively associated with productivity, but profit sharing, worker ownership, and worker participation in decision making are all positively associated with productivity. All the observed correlations are stronger among labor-managed firms (firms owned and controlled by workers) than among participatory capitalist firms (firms adopting one or more participation schemes involving employees, such as ESOPs or quality circles). Scientists have known for centuries that a single study will not resolve a major issue. Indeed, a small sample study will not even resolve a minor issue. Thus, the foundation of science is the cumulation of knowledge from the results of many studies. Hunter and Schmidt, Methods of Meta-Analysis nterest in the effects of worker participa- tion on enterprise performance has grown phenomenally. In general, the lit- erature can be divided into two camps. *Chris Doucouliagos is a lecturer at the School of Economics, Deakin University. This paper benefited substantially from discussions with, and assistance from, George Tratolos, Phillip Hone, Douglas Kruse, Asraul Hoque, and participants in seminars at Deakin and Monash Universities. Supporters of participation argue that it strengthens workers' commitment to the firm, reduces the need for costly monitor- ing, and increases work effort and hence All the data used in this study, as well as the computer program and a technical appendix, are available from the author at the School of Economics, Deakin University, 221 Burwood Highway, Burwood, Victoria, 3125, Australia. Industrial and Labor Relations Review, Vol. 49, No. 1 (October 1995). © by Cornell University. 0019-7939/95/4901 $01.00

What Is HeinOnline?

HeinOnline is a subscription-based resource containing thousands of academic and legal journals from inception; complete coverage of government documents such as U.S. Statutes at Large, U.S. Code, Federal Register, Code of Federal Regulations, U.S. Reports, and much more. Documents are image-based, fully searchable PDFs with the authority of print combined with the accessibility of a user-friendly and powerful database. For more information, request a quote or trial for your organization below.



Short-term subscription options include 24 hours, 48 hours, or 1 week to HeinOnline.

Purchase Access

Contact us for annual subscription options:

Contact Us

Already a HeinOnline Subscriber?

Log In

profiles profiles most