The Expert Committee on Economic Democracy (ECED) promotes economic democracy, employee ownership and fairer business models for a sustainable economy in Slovenia and Europe.
The Expert Committee on Economic Democracy (ECED) was established to promote economic democracy in Slovenia and Europe. Expert Committee on Economic Democracy (ECED) is committed to exploring and supporting effective measures to promote employee ownership and other forms of economic democratisation and to contribute to the development of fairer and more inclusive business models in the economy. The aim is Contributed byti to a higher level of economic performance, sustainableu Entrepreneurialu environment and social justice.
Our vision is to promote best practices of employee co-ownership and workplace collaboration in business that have a positive impact on companies' performance and contribute to social well-being. This means that Inclusive, Sustainable and The Righteous. Our aim is to create working conditions that contribute to a fairer distribution of social wealth and strengthen value added in the Slovenian economy. We are pursuing our vision through expert support for civic initiatives and government measures that promote employee ownership and other forms of economic democracy.
Employees' participation in the ownership and management of their companies fosters their motivation, innovation and commitment to the company.
Companies with employee ownership become less dependent on the short-term interests of investors and focus on sustainable business practices.
By integrating employees into the ownership structure of the company, the gap between the owners of the capital and the workforce is reduced. This promotes a fairer distribution of profits, reduces wage inequalities and contributes to social cohesion.
The members of the Expert Committee on Economic Democracy are Slovenian and international Experts and practitioners working in research and practice on the promotion and development of economic democracy. They bring together expertise in business, finance, law, policy, organisational change, training and development, new technologies and other areas relevant to strengthening employee participation in governance and ownership while enhancing business performance.
Aleksandra Kanjuo-Mrčela is Professor of Sociology and Chair of the Expert Committee on Economic Democracy at the Institute for Economic Democracy. Her research interests include economic democracy, employee participation, gender equality, and social and political change in Slovenia and the wider region. Prof. Kanjuo-Mrčela is an internationally renowned expert, whose extensive academic knowledge and active involvement in research projects have contributed significantly to the advancement of the field of economic democracy and employee participation in decision-making processes. Her work promotes innovative legal and social solutions that strengthen equality, participation and sustainable development.
Saša Muhič Pureber graduated from the Faculty of Computer Science and Informatics in Ljubljana. In 2009, she took over the management of the Production Informatics business unit at INEA and became a co-owner of the company. With more than 15 years of experience in managing domestic and international research, development and implementation projects, she expanded her responsibilities and became Sales and Marketing Director in 2018. She is an initiator and advocate of employee co-ownership, which has been successfully introduced at Inea, and an active member of the IED's Employee Co-Ownership Ambassadors Group.
Noam Chomsky is an American linguist, philosopher, professor, political activist and one of the most influential intellectuals of our time. As a professor at MIT and later at the University of Arizona, he is known as the founder of generative grammar and the creator of the Chomsky Hierarchy, which radically transformed linguistic studies and artificial intelligence. In addition to his academic contributions, Chomsky is active in political circles as a harsh critic of US foreign policy, corporate power and inequality. His many books, including Manufacturing Consent, Hegemony or Survival and Who Rules the World?, calls for social change and encourages critical thinking about the role of media, capitalism and global politics.
Isabelle Ferreras is Belgian sociologist and political scientist and Professor at Catholic University v Louvain (UCLouvain) v Belgium. In addition to Academic positions is Researcher at The prestigious National stock for Scientific research (FNRS). Its work is Focus at redesign Economic institutions s focus at democracy at working site, at being defended by model co-decision Staff at Corporate management. Ferreras is by many influencers part, including s book Firms as Political Entities: Saving Democracy through Economic Bicameralism, where defended by idea o companies such as Political entities, v of which Could . Staff to collaborate v process decision-making.
Christopher Mackin is an American expert on economic democracy and a pioneer in the field of employee ownership. For more than four decades, he has been advising companies and organisations that want to implement employee-ownership models. He founded Ownership Associates, a consulting firm based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, dedicated to employee ownership transitions. Mackin is also a faculty fellow at Harvard and Rutgers University, where he teaches about ownership structures and their benefits. His efforts are focused on transforming the economy through greater economic fairness and stability for employees and creating sustainable businesses with an emphasis on social responsibility.
Graeme Nuttall is a British lawyer and leading expert on employee ownership. He is a partner at Fieldfisher in London, where he advises businesses and organisations on implementing employee ownership models. He is best known for Nuttall Review of Employee Ownership, which he prepared for the British government in 2012. This review was instrumental in putting in place the legislative measures and incentives to enable the growth of employee-owned businesses. Nuttall continues to play an active role in developing policies that support economic democracy and more inclusive ownership models, making an important contribution to greater stability and fairness in the economy.
Kyla Alterman is an expert in social justice and economic democracy, specialising in research and consultancy on employee ownership. She is an active advocate of sustainable economic models that promote employee involvement in corporate governance and decision-making. Her work focuses on transforming traditional business structures into more equitable and participative systems where employees have a greater role in ownership and responsibility for the company.
Jon Shell is an influential Canadian entrepreneur and advocate of economic democracy, focusing on expanding employee ownership of companies. He is co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Social Capital Partners, a non-profit organization that promotes economic justice through innovative ownership models and partnership programs with business and government. Shell advocates for models where employees play a greater role in corporate governance, promoting more stable and equitable workplaces. Through its work, Shell actively supports sustainable policies that make it easier for companies to transition to employee ownership, thereby contributing to long-term social and economic stability.
Ginny Vanderslice is a renowned expert in organisational development and one of the leading advocates of employee ownership in the United States. As a consultant and educator, she has many years of experience in introducing models of employee ownership and employee participation in a variety of organizations. In addition to consulting, Vanderslice is a co-founder of Praxis Consulting Group, where she conducts workshops and lectures on the strategic benefits of employee participation to support the sustainable growth of companies based on economic justice and social responsibility.
Nicolas Aubert is a renowned French expert on employee ownership and economic democracy, specialising in researching and promoting models that involve employees in the governance and ownership of companies. He works as a researcher and consultant and is actively involved with various organisations and initiatives working towards a fairer and more inclusive economy. Aubert is the author of several publications on employee participation and organisational democracy, highlighting the benefits of participatory models for business growth and social stability. His work has made an important contribution to spreading awareness of economic democracy in Europe and worldwide.
Jack Moriarty is an American advocate of economic democracy and founder of Ownership America, an organisation working to expand employee ownership in the US. With years of experience in politics, economics and organisational development, he focuses on transforming companies into models where employees are also owners. Moriarty is recognized for his role in designing legislative solutions and support programs that encourage business transitions to worker ownership, ensuring greater stability and fairness in the economy. Through his work, Moriarty builds bridges between the private sector, government and civil society to create a sustainable future in which employees have more control over their work environment and economic security.
Pascale Nieuwland-Jansen is a Dutch expert on employee ownership and economic democracy who has been active for many years in promoting participatory models within companies. As a consultant and researcher, she works to develop policies and practices that promote greater employee involvement in company ownership structures, contributing to sustainable and responsible business. Nieuwland-Jansen has close links with organisations supporting democratic economic models in Europe and is recognised for her work to create more inclusive and equitable workplaces, where employees have a greater voice and influence in their work environment.
Matjaž Čemažar is the CEO of the Slovenian company Domel and an expert in corporate governance and employee ownership. As an experienced leader and advocate of economic democracy, he focuses on the development of corporate structures that involve employees in decision-making and ownership. He has extensive experience in industry and works closely with organisations that promote democratic business models.
John Case is an American author, journalist and expert on economic democracy who pioneered the concept of open bookkeeping (open-book management). He has made a significant contribution to raising awareness of economic democracy through his writings and consultancy work Case is the author of influential books such as Open-Book Management and The Open-Book Experience, which explores how transparency in finance and employee participation in governance drive business performance. His work has become an important resource for companies seeking greater employee engagement, financial stability and long-term growth based on responsible ownership.
David Erdal is a British author, entrepreneur and one of the leading advocates of employee ownership in the UK and around the world. He is the author of books such as Beyond the Corporation: Humanity Working and Local Heroes, which explores in detail the benefits of employee-owned companies and the impact of economic democracy on employee productivity and well-being. As President of Tullis Russell, Erdal successfully implemented the transition of the company to employee ownership.
Dr. Marko Jaklič is a Slovenian economist, professor and researcher specialising in strategic management, economic democracy and innovation systems. As a professor at the Faculty of Economics, University of Ljubljana, and author of numerous professional articles and publications, he researches models that promote inclusive and sustainable forms of ownership, including employee ownership. Jaklič is also an active advocate of economic policies that support economic democracy and social responsibility, working with various institutions and organisations in Slovenia and abroad.
Dr. Rudi Rizman is a renowned Slovenian sociologist, political scientist and professor focusing on human rights, democracy, nationalism and globalisation. A professor at the University of Ljubljana and a guest lecturer at several prominent universities around the world, including the University of Bologna, he is the author of numerous publications and articles on topics such as ethnic conflict, political ethics and transition in post-communist societies. Rizman is also an active advocate of civil society movements and a critical observer of authoritarian tendencies, working for greater social justice and the protection of human rights.
Dr. Vladimir Kreačić is a distinguished Slovenian expert in management, organisational science and economics and a retired World Bank staff member. He has devoted his career to research on corporate governance, management and the effectiveness of organisations, publishing numerous articles and papers that have had a significant impact on the development of these fields in Slovenia. Kreačič is known for his critical approach and commitment to fairer and more transparent business models, especially in the management and development of companies based on social responsibility.
Timohee Duverger is a professor at Sciences Po Bordeaux and a researcher. His work focuses on the dynamics of the institutionalisation of the social economy, which he addresses through the sociology of public policy, the history of ideas and social history.
Ermanno Tortia is a researcher, editor and professor at the University of Trento. His research focuses on institutional economics and cooperatives. He studies the social and economic effects of cooperatives and jointly owned enterprises.
Dr Miguel Cordova is a professor and researcher at the Tecnologico de Monterrey Business School in Mexico. His research focuses on sustainable development, strategic management, power and influence, the blue economy, global supply chains and international business.
Dr Anja Kopač Ph.D. in the field of welfare state reform and after ten years of research and teaching at the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ljubljana, she entered politics, first as State Secretary at the Ministry of Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities (2008-2012) and then as Minister responsible for Labour, Family, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities (2013-2018). In the period 2018-2020, she was State Secretary in the Prime Minister's Office, responsible for social affairs. Most recently, she worked in the economy. She is currently employed at the National Institute of Public Health.
Adria Scharf is an expert and researcher in the field of employee ownership. Her work includes researching the impact of employee ownership on reducing inequality and teaching how employee ownership can contribute to a fairer distribution of wealth and greater firm productivity.
Douglas L. Kruse is an American economist, researcher, expert on employee ownership and professor at Rutgers University. His book "Profit Sharing: Does It Make A Difference?" won the Richard A. Lester Prize for Outstanding Book in Labour Economics and Industrial Relations. He is also an active member of various committees and organisations working on economic democracy.
Joseph Abdel-Nour is a professor at the ESSCA School of Management, where he teaches courses such as data analysis and cost accounting. His research work focuses, among other things, on employee ownership.
Primož Kokalj is a Slovenian businessman who works as the CEO of Etiketa, an employee-owned company for more than 60 years that emphasises the importance of innovation, digitalisation and sustainable solutions in the economy. He is an active advocate of economic democracy and raises public awareness of the benefits of employee ownership.
Founder of Akiri Consultants, an employee-owned management consulting firm, Rachel has been working for and with employee-owned companies since the age of 16. She was Chair of the board of Employee Ownership Canada (previously known as the ESOP Association Canada) from 2022 to 2024. During that time, she effectively managed the merger between Employee Ownership Canada and the Canadian Employee Ownership Coalition, which successfully lobbied for new E.O. legislation that came into effect in 2024.
Members of the Expert Committee on Economic Democracy (ECED) have signed a letter of support addressed to the members of the Economic and Social Council (ESC), expressing their unanimous support for the draft law on employee ownership (ZLZD). The letter calls for the adoption of a law that would facilitate the involvement of employees in the ownership of companies in Slovenia. ECED members stress that the ZLZD law is a key step towards reducing economic inequalities, increasing business stability and creating a fairer economic system. The law would also contribute to the long-term stability of companies and increase the motivation and productivity of employees.
The founding document of the Expert Committee on Economic Democracy defines our vision and mission, our actions and activities.
For further clarifications, please contact us at info@ied.si.
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