For that business it might not be a good formula but public education seems to be the biggest thing missing. I've talked with employees who could very very easily run the show themselves if they simply got organized and made a [much smaller] bid on the contract their employer was bidding on. They also know their managers share in the huge profits, drink coffee all day and never show their face(!) If the people doing the work ask for anything there will be a huge deliberate delay or it won't be done as a reminder not to ask for things. Do it again and you will get punished. They are on a first name basis with employees working far away because of the sheer amount of improvisation. If you need widgets you will have to get them from someone.

The employees all know they could run the business but they cant picture themselves doing it. Their arguments are "It's to complicated" but struggle and fail to explain how. It might still not be a good idea but that they draw a blank is the ultimate hurdle for now.