Beyond the Corporation. Humanity Working by David Erdal - Book review

Literature Review , 2013 , 7 Pages , Grade: 1,3

Business economics - Business Management, Corporate Governance

In his most recent book ‘Beyond the Corporation: Humanity working’, David Erdal, book author and Non-Executive Director at Baxendale Ownership, strongly promotes the superiority of employee ownership. He gives a wide range of best practice examples across industries from various countries, without neglecting the essential theoretical foundation of the concept of democratic employee ownership. The book, which was published in March 2011, builds an argument around the financial collapse 2008 - 2009, when many traditional companies failed, suffered severely, or at the very least were shaken.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

• Employee Ownership: A New Paradigm for Business
• The Flawed Corporate Model
• Pioneers of Employee Ownership
• The Genesis of Modern Employment Law
• Employee Ownership in Practice
• The Ownership Effect
• The Importance of Governance
• Beyond the Corporation: A New Vision
• Conclusion (Fazit)
• Bibliography (Literaturverzeichnis)

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte

David Erdal's "Beyond the Corporation: Humanity Working" presents a compelling argument for employee ownership as a superior model for business, advocating for a shift from traditional shareholder-capitalism to a system of democratic partnership. The book examines the shortcomings of conventional corporate structures and explores the potential of employee ownership to foster prosperity, health, and happiness.

• The shortcomings of traditional corporate structures
• The benefits of employee ownership
• The challenges and complexities of implementing employee ownership
• The role of leadership and governance in employee-owned companies
• The potential for employee ownership to create a more equitable and sustainable economy

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel

The first chapter of "Beyond the Corporation" delves into the traditional work concept, highlighting the inherent inequality between owners and employees. Erdal argues that the prevailing corporate model, driven by capital market discipline, prioritizes short-term profits over long-term sustainability, often at the expense of employee well-being. He contrasts this model with the principles of employee ownership, where employees share in the ownership and decision-making of the company.

The second chapter introduces four pioneers of employee ownership: José Maria Arizmendiarieta, John Spedan Lewis, Giusepe Bucci, Ernst Abbe, and Louis Kelso. Each of these individuals played a pivotal role in shaping the concept of employee ownership and demonstrating its viability across various industries. Erdal further uses his own experience with Tullis Russel, a papermill business he transformed into a majority employee-owned firm, to counter common arguments against employee ownership.

The third chapter focuses on the practical realities of employee ownership, drawing on interviews with employees of John Lewis, an employee-owned department store chain. Erdal explores the "ownership effect," highlighting how employee ownership can foster a sense of responsibility, commitment, and engagement among employees. He also examines the importance of a well-structured takeover and exit process, as well as the need for strong governance to ensure the long-term sustainability of employee-owned businesses.

Schlüsselwörter

Die Schlüsselwörter und Schwerpunktthemen des Textes umfassen Mitarbeiterbeteiligung, Mitarbeiterkapitalismus, Employee Ownership, Mitarbeitermitbestimmung, Corporate Governance, Shareholder Value, Unternehmenskultur, Geschäftsmodell, Wirtschaftsethik, Nachhaltigkeit, und soziale Verantwortung. Der Text beleuchtet die Vor- und Nachteile von Mitarbeiterbeteiligungsmodellen im Vergleich zu traditionellen Unternehmensstrukturen und analysiert die Auswirkungen auf die Produktivität, die Mitarbeiterzufriedenheit und die wirtschaftliche Entwicklung. Ein besonderer Fokus liegt auf der Frage, ob Mitarbeiterbeteiligung ein tragfähiges Modell für eine nachhaltige und gerechtere Wirtschaft sein kann.

• College: University of St Andrews (School of Management)
• Grade: 1,3
• Author: Benjamin Renner (Author)
• Publication Year: 2013
• Pages: 7
• Catalog Number: V271875
• ISBN (eBook): 9783656642046
• ISBN (Book): 9783656642053
• Language: English
• Tags: beyond, corporation, humanity, working, david, erdal, book