VIDEO: “Shift Change” documentary portrays growing world of employee-owned firms

Shift Change: Putting Democracy to Work (2012) is an entertaining look inside the burgeoning co-operative movement. In this documentary, Mark Dworkin and Melissa Young portray the growing world of employee-owned firms.

Shift Change seeks to find more egalitarian solutions to the economic problems that have accompanied structural changes like the disappearance of the manufacturing sector. The film shows employee-owned firms of various sizes and from multiple countries. A large portion highlights the Mondragon Corporation, a giant in the co-operative business world — headquartered in the Basque region of Spain. Mondragon is cited as a great  success story for aspiring worker co-operatives. They have thrived while adhering to their core values of cooperation, participation, social responsibility and innovation. The firm is organized into the areas of finance, industry, distribution and knowledge. Today Mondragon is the largest Basque business group and the 10th  largest in Spain. According to the film’s website:

There is growing interest in firms that are owned and managed by their workers. Such firms tend to be more profitable and innovative, and more committed to the communities where they are based. Yet the public has little knowledge of their success, and the promise they offer for a better life.

If you want to explore the world of employee-owned firms and support Shift Change order a copy here. You can also get in touch with their Facebook presence at https://www.facebook.com/shiftchangemovie or @Shift_Change on Twitter.