Based on empirical evidence, examines experiences of employee ownership within the context of privatization legislation and its diffusion and implementation problems in 14 transitional economies. Presents some of the weaknesses of privatization and identifies possible improvements such as the use of employee ownership in combination with other privatization methods.

Employee participation has grown rapidly in many developed countries, but it is only beginning to emerge as an element in the economies of developing nations. Evidence shows that employee ownership and other forms of employee participation can ease privatization.

A wide-ranging survey which considers employee ownership within privatization legislation and its diffusion and implementation problems in 14 transitional economies. Ten articles address issues such as enterprise restructuring, employment, wages, productivity, and investment policies. The authors conclude that the employee ownership method has proven to be one of the quickest and has brought with it many positive changes. They also identify possible improvements such as the use of employee ownership in combination with other methods. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR