I really doubt that corporations thinking this way. I think it's more like motivation tool to get more added value from workers.
Correct, it is a way to encourage ownership in the company that the company offers to make workers feel like they have a stake in the success of the company, can also be for tax reason
"make workers feel like they have a stake..."is a key 🤣 in proportion with top management stakes it is a dust. An often it is a way to take loan from your employees = easy money
Giving the option does no harm, there are companies that do not pay workers in stock but gives them the option of buying X stocks at 50% rebates and them being locked for sale X years.