ABSTRACT
This chapter compares cooperatives with private enterprises. The key comparison is between cooperatives and larger private enterprises, especially the corporation. This chapter first considers some of the key features of both enterprises, including purpose, ownership and control, profit distribution, and industrial relations. It then examines the behaviours of both enterprises by comparing their economic performance, entrepreneurship, and innovation. This is followed by considering the impact that cooperatives and corporations have on employment, equality, local economic development, and on economic democracy. The final part considers whether cooperative enterprises and corporations are converging.
