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Examining structure and process in ESOP firms

Patrick P. McHugh (George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA)
Joel Cutcher‐Gershenfeld (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA)
Diane L. Bridge (George Washington University, Washington, District of Columbia, USA)

Personnel Review

ISSN: 0048-3486

Article publication date: 1 June 2005

2296

Abstract

Purpose

To examine the role of three employee‐owner attributes (i.e. the level of employee influence in decision making, the amount of Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) information given to employee‐owners, and the extent to which the ESOP design provides employee‐owners with equity possession) in predicting variance in managerial perceptions of ESOP firm performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey responses from management at 61 ESOP firms in the United States are analyzed. Based upon the ESOP literature, “ownership” is conceptualized as a multidimensional construct consisting of rights to influence, information, and equity. This framework is the foundation for several hypotheses linking ownership attributes and firm performance.

Findings

Utilizing hierarchical regression analysis, we found that employee influence in operational decisions and information sharing with employee‐owners has a positive impact on managerial perceptions of firm performance. Equity possession appears to be only significant when ESOP information sharing with is low.

Research limitations/implications

This is a cross‐sectional study of management respondents. Future researchers should include employees and managers, gather objective firm performance data, and refine the measures of employee influence, information sharing, and equity possession.

Practical implications

Managers interested in improving the economic performance of ESOP firms should increase opportunities for employee operational influence, as well as developing extensive ESOP communication programs. Policy makers may need to provide stronger guidance to employers regarding employee‐owner equity possession.

Originality/value

This paper furthers our understanding of the role that employee ownership attributes play in ESOP firm effectiveness.

Keywords

Citation

McHugh, P.P., Cutcher‐Gershenfeld, J. and Bridge, D.L. (2005), "Examining structure and process in ESOP firms", Personnel Review, Vol. 34 No. 3, pp. 277-293. https://doi.org/10.1108/00483480510591435

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2005, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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