Virtue out of necessity : the potential of self-management towards social and environmental sustainability

This dissertation provides a monographic analysis into the formation of Labor-Managed Firms (LMFs) represented by the worker cooperatives emerging of negotiated conversions of previously privately-owned firms, exemplified by the Italian Workers’ Buy-Outs (WBOs), and of labor conflicts, such as the Argentine Empresas Recuperadas por sus Trabajadores. The comparative literature review presented in the first chapter adopts a Critical Realist perspective and analytical methodology, and is complemented by the case study of the ex- GKN recovery process presented in the second chapter. The third chapter discusses the limitations of the present study, some of its possible extensions on the basis of the additional research activities performed during the PhD years, and provides avenues for future research together with proposals for policy-makers.