As of February 2000, approximately 8.5 million US employees were employed in about 11,500 US businesses that had an Employee Stock Ownership Plan. This study examines the workings of employee-owned firms in market economies to determine whether employee-owned firms are compatible with efficient economic outcomes. The study draws on data collected from employee-owned firms in Brazil and the US to compare worker behavior and motivation in employee-owned and privately owned firms. Early chapters present a detailed review of the theory and practice of employee ownership in developing countries, Brazil, and the US, and later chapters present and analyze study data. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)