Company forms & group structures · Working
Cooperative
Also called: co-op
ELI5
An organisation owned and democratically controlled by members who use or support it.
Used in conversation
“Do not describe cooperative as agreed until the operative document says so.”
Pitch context
You will see “Cooperative” in board papers, contracts, policies, risk registers and compliance reports when the discussion reaches company forms & group structures.
Why it matters: In company forms & group structures, a loose definition can change rights, obligations, approval, disclosure or enforceability.
Caution
Meaning, enforceability and required process vary by jurisdiction and agreement; this definition is not legal advice.
Sources & evidence · 3
Direct term-level sources and supporting source families.
- OECD — G20/OECD Principles of Corporate Governance 2023Direct source · institutional · checked 2026-08-16
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission — EDGAR and filing resourcesDirect source · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- National Institute of Standards and Technology — Computer Security Resource Center GlossarySupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-16