International Overview of Employee Share Ownership

Abstract

Business management scholars have propositioned employee share ownership as a concept bearing different perspectives. Business management practitioners have implemented the model in varying degrees suiting their organizational needs depending on the context of the organization at the particular time. Empirical research on the impact, role, and the position of employee share ownership (ESO) has produced varying results leading to far reaching conclusions as to the importance and significance of the ESO on an organization and especially at a time when a firm is undergoing through crisis. The concept of employee share ownership has led to the development of employee share ownership plans which are implemented as direct stock/share allotment, bonuses, or profit-sharing models and plans. The employer or the principal capital holder bears an exclusive discretion in making the decision of who would receive any of these options.