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Workers buyout cooperatives: A structured literature review and a research agenda

Author

Listed:
  • Cristina Di Stefano

    (Department of Management, Economics and Industrial Engineering, Politecnico di Milano, Italy)

  • Luciano Fratocchi

    (Department of Industrial and Information Engineering and Economics, University of L’Aquila, Italy)

  • Antonio Picciotti

    (Department of Economics, University of Perugia, Italy)

Abstract

This article aims to present and discuss the results of a systematic literature review on workers buyout (WBO) cooperatives. More specifically the authors analyzed 44 documents, comprising 29 journal articles and 15 book chapters published up to December 2022 based on the ‘5Ws and 1H’ (who-what-where-when-why and how) questions. The findings show that the authors of these documents mostly focused on the definition of cooperatives, and the triggers of the operation, while stages of the decision-making and implementation process are rarely investigated, in particular those following the constitution of the WBO cooperative. Avenues for further research are then presented and discussed at the level of a single cooperative, country/market and policy maker. Lastly, the article provides a useful operational reference for implementing a WBO operation.

Suggested Citation

  • Cristina Di Stefano & Luciano Fratocchi & Antonio Picciotti, 2024. "Workers buyout cooperatives: A structured literature review and a research agenda," Economic and Industrial Democracy, Department of Economic History, Uppsala University, Sweden, vol. 45(3), pages 859-890, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:ecoind:v:45:y:2024:i:3:p:859-890
    DOI: 10.1177/0143831X231201273
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Anthony Jensen, 2016. "The 1980s Worker Co-operative Buyout Experience in Australia. Learning from Praxis," Journal of Entrepreneurial and Organizational Diversity, European Research Institute on Cooperative and Social Enterprises, vol. 5(1), pages 54-78.
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    6. Artz, Georgeanne M. & Kim, Younjun, 2011. "Business Ownership by Workers: Are Worker Cooperatives a Viable Option?," Staff General Research Papers Archive 34575, Iowa State University, Department of Economics.
    7. Warner Woodworth, 1984. "Cooperative Movements in The U.S.A. The Third Stage," Annals of Public and Cooperative Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 55(3), pages 239-252, July.
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    9. Cristina Di Stefano, 2018. "The Business Transfer through the Cooperative Model. A Comparative Analysis Italy-France," Journal of Entrepreneurial and Organizational Diversity, European Research Institute on Cooperative and Social Enterprises, vol. 7(2), pages 62-86.
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