This book offers a thoroughly researched and accessibly written account of the John Lewis Partnership. It describes what the JLP is, how it works, and what other businesses can learn from it.
The US/UK model of the firm, with its emphasis on shareholder value and its openness to the market in the buying and selling of businesses, is prone to a number of problematic consequences for employees, suppliers, and sometimes share-holders. The JLP represents a contrast to this model - one that has implications beyond the small niche of mutually-owned firms. The JLP has lessons for organizations...

Despite sweeping changes in organisational theory and practice, most productive activity still takes place within organisations. This volume makes it clear that despite waves of change, organisational theory remains vially relevant to todays student of business. This book introduces the student to classic debates and new perspectives on organisations through a wide ranging but approachable selection of readings. It:
considers why organisations matter to employees and customers
discusses theories of the organisation as a mode of empowerment and of control
Examining these theories...