Originally published during the early part of the twentieth century, the Cambridge Manuals of Science and Literature were designed to provide concise introductions to a broad range of topics. They were written by experts for the general reader and combined a comprehensive approach to knowledge with an emphasis on accessibility. Copartnership in Industry by C. R. Fay was first published in 1913. The text presents an account of the development of profit-sharing systems, discussing the effectiveness of such systems for business growth and industrial relations.

In this title, first published in 1987, the author discusses the economic and industrial circumstances in Britain under which profit-sharing and co-partnership came into being. He explores the merits and drawbacks of the system as both advocates and opponents saw them, the motivations of employers in introducing profit-sharing schemes, and the implementing of such notable schemes as that of Lever Brothers, a multinational corporation based in Britain. The author also assesses the role of profit-sharing and co-partnership in the development of modern management practices and industrial relations.