Our Share: Employee Ownership as a Wealth Sharing Tool from Coursera

In this course, you will learn about a well-researched tool for building a more equitable economy: “employee ownership.” You will learn what it is, how it differs from traditional business ownership models, and the forms it can take. You will learn how employee ownership can share wealth and profits with employees--while making businesses more productive. You will learn what the research shows about the benefits of this tool for employees, retiring business owners, and the economy.

Whatever your interest in the topic, you’ll find information here that you can use. If you are a business owner or entrepreneur, you will learn why employee ownership could be a solution that benefits you and your employees. If you are an employee of a business, you will learn how you could gain an ownership stake in the business and what that would mean. If you are a student, this course is relevant to numerous fields including human resources management, strategy, entrepreneurship, organizations, history, economics, community economic development, labor studies, sociology, and more. If you are simply someone interested in tested real-world solutions to economic inequality, or concerned about social justice, this course is for you as well.

By the end of the course, you will know key questions to ask to determine whether employee ownership may be suitable for your workplace.

This course was developed by the Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing with support from the Beyster Foundation for Enterprise Development.

What's inside

Syllabus

What is Employee Ownership?

In this course, you will learn about a well-researched tool for building a more equitable economy: “employee ownership.” You will learn what employee ownership is, how it differs from traditional business ownership models, and the forms it can take. You will learn how employee ownership can share wealth and profits with employees--while making businesses more productive. In the first week of the course, you will learn about how businesses are commonly owned. By the end of the first week, you will understand how employee ownership differs from common ownership models...and you will be able to name three relevant economic trends. Find links to more resources by clicking "Download" below the videos in this lesson. Let's get started.

Employee Ownership: Types and Traditions

Next we look more closely at four specific types of employee ownership: the Employee Stock Ownership Plan or ESOP, the worker cooperative, equity compensation, and the employee ownership trust. We will examine how these types of employee ownership work, how they differ from one another, and their prevalence. Then we will dive deep into understanding the historic roots of modern employee ownership. By the end of this module, you will have acquired a basic understanding of four key types of employee ownership. You will be able to visualize how several companies are successfully sharing ownership with employees. And you will understand how some ideas supporting employee ownership and profit-sharing trace back to the earliest founding of the United States, while the cooperative tradition has roots in Black and marginalized community experiences. Throughout this module, we will learn from several different scholars and experts.

What the Research Shows: Key Takeaways

Scholars have generated an enormous amount of evidence suggesting that employee ownership can strengthen firm performance, survival, and job stability, improve employee economic well-being, and address wealth inequality. In this module, you will learn some of the most important research findings, findings that are relevant to real-world practice. By the end of this module, you will understand several important takeaways from the research.

Why and How We Became Employee Owned

Welcome to the final part of the course. This section introduces basic information about implementing two forms of employee ownership, the ESOP and the worker cooperative. The two company founders who you met earlier will share more about how they adopted employee ownership. Tracy Till is co-founder of a company that became an ESOP. Jarret Schlaff co-founded a worker cooperative. Both will tell you why their business became employee owned, and how they and their colleagues did it. Both will describe important steps in the process and lessons they learned along the way. We have included links to optional, supplemental, instructional resources. By the end of this portion of the course, you will know much more about how one business owner sold the business she co-owned to employees through an ESOP, and how a different organization became a worker cooperative. You will take away a basic understanding of the key steps in the process, knowledge of important questions to ask, and resources for finding more detailed guidance.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Examines employee ownership, exploring the different types and traditions of businesses sharing ownership with workers

Develops an understanding of employee ownership research, which suggests improved firm performance and employee well-being

Taught by Adria Scharf and Joseph R. Blasi, who are recognized experts in employee ownership research

Provides foundational knowledge on implementing employee ownership, including key steps and resources

Suitable for students or professionals interested in equitable economic models, social justice, or workforce management

Requires access to optional materials and resources for supplemental learning

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Our Share: Employee Ownership as a Wealth Sharing Tool with these activities:

Review ESOPs and worker cooperatives

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By reviewing materials on different employee ownership models, you will build a foundation for the course.

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Start with the course materials on the historical roots of employee ownership.
Review resources on ESOPs.
Search the web for more information on worker cooperatives.

Discuss business ownership models with peers

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By arranging a session to discuss concepts with peers, you can clarify your understanding and identify areas where you need more support.

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Reach out to fellow course participants to set up a study group.
Come to the first session prepared by reading the course material on business ownership models.
Take turns facilitating the discussions.

Analyze real-world examples of employee ownership

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By analyzing research, you will have a chance to apply the concepts you learn in the course to real-world scenarios.

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Read the article titled 'Three Companies That Give Employees a Share of the Profits.'
Search for additional case studies yourself.
Write a one-page summary of your findings.

Five other activities

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Create a presentation on employee ownership

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By synthesizing concepts in a presentation, you will gain a deeper understanding of their interrelationships and significance.

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Choose a specific aspect of employee ownership to focus on.
Research your topic.
Create an outline for your presentation.
Develop your presentation slides and practice your delivery.
Present your findings.

Develop a business plan incorporating employee ownership

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By creating a plan, you will be able to apply the principles you learn in the course to your own professional goals.

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Research different types of employee ownership structures.
Identify the advantages and disadvantages of each structure.
Select a structure that is appropriate for your business.

Attend a workshop on employee ownership

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Workshops will enhance your understanding of the practical applications of the concepts covered in the course.

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Search for workshops in your area.
Register for a workshop that interests you.
Attend the workshop and take notes.

Mentor someone who is interested in employee ownership

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Mentoring others will help you to solidify your knowledge of the concepts covered in the course, while also making a valuable contribution to your community.

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Identify someone who is interested in learning more about employee ownership.
Share your knowledge and experience with them.
Provide them with resources and support.

Contribute to an open-source project related to employee ownership

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Your contributions to open source will develop valuable technical skills and contribute to a valuable community resource.

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Identify an open-source project related to employee ownership that you are interested in contributing to.
Read the project's documentation and familiarize yourself with the codebase.
Make a contribution to the project.

Career center

Learners who complete Our Share: Employee Ownership as a Wealth Sharing Tool will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Social Entrepreneur

Social Entrepreneurs use business principles to address social and environmental problems. They may found or work for non-profit organizations or social enterprises. This course may be helpful for Social Entrepreneurs because it provides an understanding of how employee ownership can help organizations achieve their social mission while also providing economic benefits to employees.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Entrepreneur

Economic Researcher

Economic Researchers conduct research on economic issues. They may work for government agencies, businesses, or research institutions. This course may be helpful for Economic Researchers because it provides an understanding of how employee ownership can be used to address economic inequality and promote economic growth.

See salaries and explore the career path for Economic Researcher

Professor of Economics

Professors of Economics teach and研究经济学原理. They may work for colleges and universities. This course may be helpful for Professors of Economics because it provides an in-depth understanding of the economic benefits and challenges of employee ownership.

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Public Policy Analyst

Public Policy Analysts研究政策影响社会的提案和政策. They may work for government agencies, think tanks, or advocacy groups. This course may be helpful for Public Policy Analysts because it provides an understanding of how employee ownership can be used to promote economic justice and equality.

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Financial Advisor

Financial Advisors provide financial advice to individuals and families. They may work for banks, investment firms, or other financial institutions. This course may be helpful for Financial Advisors because it provides an understanding of how employee ownership can help clients achieve their financial goals.

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Economist

Economists study the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. They may work for government agencies, businesses, or research institutions. This course may be helpful for Economists because it provides an understanding of how employee ownership can affect economic growth and inequality.

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Investment Banker

Investment Bankers help companies raise capital and advise them on mergers and acquisitions. They may work for investment banks or other financial institutions. This course may be helpful for Investment Bankers because it provides an understanding of how employee ownership can affect a company's valuation and attractiveness to investors.

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Corporate Strategy Consultant

Corporate Strategy Consultants help businesses develop and implement strategies to achieve their long-term goals. They may work for consulting firms or directly for corporations. This course may be helpful for Corporate Strategy Consultants because it provides an understanding of how employee ownership can align the interests of employees with the goals of the company.

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Operations Manager

Operations Managers are responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of a company. They may work in a variety of industries, such as manufacturing, retail, and healthcare. This course may be helpful for Operations Managers because it provides insights into how employee ownership can improve efficiency and productivity.

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Human Resources Manager

Human Resources Managers are responsible for managing the people-related aspects of a company, such as recruiting, hiring, training, and development. They may also be involved in employee relations, compensation and benefits, and health and safety. This course may be helpful for Human Resources Managers because it provides an understanding of how employee ownership can improve employee morale and job satisfaction.

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Business Development Manager

Business Development Managers are responsible for developing and implementing strategies to grow a company's business. They may work for businesses of all sizes, from startups to large corporations. This course may be helpful for Business Development Managers because it provides insights into how employee ownership can help attract and retain customers.

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Financial Analyst

Financial analysts use their knowledge of finance and economics to provide investment advice to individuals and organizations. They may work for banks, investment firms, or other financial institutions. This course may be helpful for Financial Analysts because it provides an understanding of how employee ownership can affect a company's financial performance.

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Management Consultant

Management Consultants help organizations of all types, including businesses, non-profits, and government agencies, improve their performance. They may be involved in a wide range of activities, such as developing strategies, improving operations, and implementing new technologies. This course may be helpful for Management Consultants because it provides insights into how employee ownership can improve employee motivation and productivity.

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