Introduction

Abstract

In this book it is hoped to draw together and synthesise the developing literature in economics on the labour-managed firm. This literature has grown considerably over the last ten years and is interesting an increasing number of academics. Furthermore, producers’ cooperatives have been held up by many as being capable of making a major contribution to correcting the ills of the capitalist economies of the west (see, for example: Clayre, 1980; Owen, 1981; Wales TUC, 1981; Berman, 1982; Vanek, 1982; Horvat, 1982). This volume is an attempt to integrate the experience of producers’ cooperatives in western economies and Yugoslavia’s experience of workers’ self-management with the theoretical literature. It must be recognised that this is a difficult task and the present work does not go all the way in attaining this objective.