Ownership and organisational forms - Business Management IB Study Notes

Ownership and organisational forms define the legal structure under which businesses operate, determining liability, control, taxation, and capital-raising methods.

Sole Trader (Sole Proprietorship): A business owned and operated by one individual with unlimited liability (owner's personal assets at risk). Simple to establish with complete control and privacy, but limited capital access. The owner receives all profits but bears all losses.

Partnership: Business owned by 2-50 partners sharing profits, responsibilities, and unlimited liability (except limited partners in some jurisdictions). Partners contribute capital and expertise. A deed of partnership outlines profit-sharing ratios, roles, and dispute resolution.

Private Limited Company (Ltd/Pte Ltd): Incorporated business with limited liability (shareholders lose only their investment). Shares sold privately, not publicly traded. Separate legal entity with continuity beyond owners' lives. Requires Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association.

Public Limited Company (PLC): Shares traded on stock exchanges, allowing massive capital raising. Subject to strict regulations, disclosure requirements, and potential hostile takeovers. Divorce of ownership and control occurs when shareholders (owners) differ from managers.

Social Enterprise/Non-profit: Organizations prioritizing social/environmental objectives over profit maximization. May reinvest surpluses into mission-driven activities.

Cooperative: Member-owned, democratically controlled businesses where profits distribute among members based on participation, not investment.

Franchise: Business model where franchisor licenses brand, systems, and support to franchisee for fees and royalties. Reduces risk but limits independence.

Key Formula: Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) = (Operating Profit ÷ Capital Employed) × 100%

Understanding organisational forms means recognizing how structure affects risk, growth potential, and control.

Sole traders suit small-scale operations like independent consultants or local shops. Example: A freelance graphic designer operates as a sole trader, enjoying flexibility and direct client relationships. However, if sued for copyright infringement, personal savings and home could be seized—illustrating unlimited liability's danger.

Partnerships work for professional services. Example: Law firms like Allen & Overy began as partnerships, pooling legal expertise. The deed of partnership prevents disputes over profit splits. Imagine three doctors opening a clinic: without written agreements, disagreements about working hours or investment could dissolve the practice.

Private limited companies balance liability protection with control retention. Example: Bosch remained family-controlled as a private company for decades, avoiding stock market pressures while growing internationally. The Ltd structure protects owners' homes if the company fails.

Public limited companies access enormous capital. Example: When Facebook became a PLC in 2012, it raised $16 billion, funding global expansion. However, Mark Zuckerberg faced shareholder scrutiny over privacy scandals—demonstrating how divorce of ownership and control creates accountability pressures.

Franchises reduce entrepreneurial risk. Example: McDonald's franchisees receive training, brand recognition, and supply chains but pay 4% revenue royalties and follow strict operational standards. Think of it as "business in a box"—less freedom but higher success rates than independent startups.

Cooperatives prioritize member welfare. Example: The Co-operative Group (UK) returns profits to members through dividends, reflecting democratic ownership where each member has equal voting rights regardless of purchase volume.