What is it about?
John Lewis Company has been in business since 1864. In 1929, it became the John Lewis Partnership (JLP) when the son of the founder sold a portion of the firm to the employees. In 1955, he sold his remaining interest to the employee/Partners. The firm is now held in a perpetual trust for the benefit of all the Partners. JLP has a unique organizational governance model that is carried out by a representative democracy as specified in its constitution. As the firm approaches the 100th anniversary of the trust, it is faced with multiple challenges. One of those challenges faced by the Partners is how to respond to the turmoil surrounding Brexit? This award winning case presents the challenges for discussion.
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Why is it important?
An employee-owned firm can be flexible in adapting to the ever changing and competitive retail field. John Lewis has growe to be one of Britain's largest multi-channel retailers.
Perspectives
Although he firm has over 80,000 partners, its has maintained their voice in the organization through a combination of an elaborate but all inclusive governance structure and a set of principles in their constitution which continue to guide the firm in the 21st century.
Dr Richard C. Hoffman
Salisbury University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: John Lewis partnership approaching 100 years – what now?, The CASE Journal, May 2020, Emerald,
DOI: 10.1108/tcj-08-2018-0095.
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