The Comparative Advantages of Member-owned Businesses

摘要: Abstract This article provides a systematic descriptive and analytical framework for understanding the comparative advantages of member-owned businesses (MOBs) such as cooperatives, mutuals, economic associations. First, it short description two main ownership types—consumer producer—then taxonomy all sub-types. An overview literature on advantage follows. The three elements ownership, control, benefit are identified, then arising from these identified discussed with historical examples empirical evidence derived mainly author's previous work. There is brief discussion wider to society in general presence an MOB sector. A section disadvantages identifies problems difficulty raising capital, governance failure due lack member participation. final considers nature advantage, comparing MOBs other owne...