Työntekijäomisteisten

Työntekijäomisteiset are companies where the majority of the shares are owned by the employees themselves, either directly or through employee-owned trusts or cooperatives. This model contrasts with traditional corporations where shares are primarily owned by external investors.

The concept of employee ownership gained prominence in the mid-20th century as a response to what some saw as the excessive power of corporate management and the potential for greater worker satisfaction and job security. In a työntekijäomisteinen, employees typically have a significant say in the company's governance, including the election of the board of directors and the approval of major decisions.

There are several types of employee-owned businesses, including:

Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP): Employees purchase shares from the company at a discount, with the agreement that they will hold the shares for a specified period.

Worker Cooperatives: Businesses owned and democratically controlled by their employees, often structured as cooperatives.

Employee Owned Trusts: Trusts established by the company to purchase shares on behalf of employees, with the shares held in trust for the benefit of the employees.

Työntekijäomisteiset can offer several benefits, such as increased job satisfaction, higher employee retention rates, and a focus on long-term sustainability. However, they also face challenges, including the potential for reduced profitability due to lower shareholder returns and the need for significant upfront investment in share purchases.

The model has been adopted by a variety of industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, and technology. Notable examples include REI, a cooperative retailing association in the United States, and the Mondragon Corporation, a network of cooperatives in the Basque Country of Spain.

Overall, työntekijäomisteiset represent a diverse and evolving approach to business ownership, with proponents arguing that it can lead to more democratic, equitable, and sustainable enterprises.