worker cooperatives
Staff-owned democratic enterprises
Worker cooperatives are businesses owned and governed by their employees rather than outside investors or shareholders.
Each worker-owner typically has one vote in major decisions regardless of their role or seniority.
Profits are distributed among members rather than to external stockholders.
The bakery operates as a worker cooperative where everyone shares in decision-making.
Often shortened to worker co-ops.
- profit-sharingDistributing earnings among workers
- social enterpriseBusiness prioritizing impact over profit
- syndicalismUnion-led worker ownership theory
- shared ownershipJoint holding of property
- democracyRule by the people
mutualism · mutual aid · collective bargaining · consensus · bylaws · credit unions · collectivism · general assembly · sweat equity · socialism · profit motive · fair wages · living wage · self-management · housing cooperatives · workplace equality · egalitarian · board of directors
worker cooperativessole proprietorships
Businesses with single owners
family-owned businesses · multinational corporations · partnerships · franchises · conglomerates
worker cooperativesabsentee ownership
Possessing property without presence
wage labor · sweatshops · at-will employment · gig economy · temp agencies