In this research brief, we provide back-of-the-envelope calculations showing that, as of 2022, about 140,000 firms employing around 33 million workers would have been suitable candidates for ESOP employee buyouts, and nearly 1.1 million firms employing over 25 million workers suitable candidates for cooperative employee buyouts. Collectively, these firms accounted for roughly $25 trillion in total revenues (in 2024 dollars). The data used in this exercise were drawn from several different sources, including the US Census Bureau’s Annual Business Survey, County Business Patterns, and Economic Census.
Notably, we find that even under alternative modeling assumptions the resulting estimates would still point to substantial scope for expansion of employee ownership in the US today.”
Overview
Issue Areas
Related Resources
The Resource Library is the heart of the Job Quality Center of Excellence. Check out our recent
additions below, and click “View All Resources” to explore more.
Improving Job Quality Through Data-Driven Impact Procurement
The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program
Employee Ownership Plans According to Earnings, Gender, and Race in the United States
Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing at Rutgers University
How Many Firms Are Good Candidates for Employee Ownership?
Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing at Rutgers University
Employee Ownership and ESOPs – What We Know from Recent Research
Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing at Rutgers University
WIOA, Employee Ownership, and Good Jobs: How Workforce Legislation Can Support Employee-Owned Companies and Boost Job Quality
The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program
13 Tips for Having Conversations About Flexible Work Options
NCWIT
The Importance of Participatory Decision Making in Designing Quality Jobs
Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program
ESOPs in the Manufacturing Industry
Rutgers Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing
ESOPs in Rural Areas
Rutgers Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing
Employee Ownership and ESOPs
Rutgers Institute for the Study of Employee Ownership and Profit Sharing
Business Owner Responsiveness to Employee Ownership Outreach Efforts
University of Pittsburgh, et al.
Upskilling Frontline Workers
Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program
Quality Jobs Are a Choice
The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program
Racial Equity and Job Quality
Urban Institute
Advancing Equity Through Worker Financial Health
Financial Health Network
Job Quality for Frontline Workforce Professionals
Workforce Professionals Training Institute
Improving Training to Brighten the Future of Black Workers
Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies
“Now Jobs” in Young Adult Workforce Programming
The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program
Paid Family and Medical Leave
National Partnership for Women and Families
Policy Metrics: Paid Family and Medical Leave
National Partnership for Women & Families
Impact Investing and Employee Ownership
The Democracy Collaborative
The Future of Work for Low-Income Workers and Families
Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program and the Working Poor Families Project
Narrowing the Racial Wealth Gap through Business Ownership
Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program
The Retail Trade Workforce in the United States
Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program
Overview of Workers in Residential Construction
Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program
Our Direct-Care Workers
The Aspen Institute Economic Opportunities Program
Submit a Resource
What resources have you found useful for advancing job quality? Share your favorites so we can consider adding them to the Job Quality Center of Excellence.
Submit A Resource