How Worker Ownership Impacts Individuals, Firms, and Communities

Worker cooperatives are mostly small firms that account for a very small proportion of the economy. Although proponents claim they are associated with higher pay, job security, and job satisfaction, there is little research on the extent to which they benefit workers and whether they are a viable business model. Sociologist Trevor Young-Hyman will replicate and expand a 2017 survey to study the effects of employee ownership on worker and firm outcomes in partnership with the Democracy of Work Institute. The survey will collect demographic data as well as measures of job quality and employee ownership.