Factors Governing the Selection of a Suitable Form of Ownership

Business Organization

For a new or proposed business, the selection of a suitable form of

ownership business organisation is generally governed by the following

factors! The selection of a suitable form of ownership organisation is an

important entrepreneurial decision because it influences the success and

growth of a business — e.g., it determines the decision of profits, the

risk associated with business, and so on. As discussed earlier, the

different forms of private ownership organisation differ from each other

in respect of division of profit, control, risk, legal formalities, flexibility,

etc. Therefore, a thoughtful consideration should be given to this

problem and only that form of ownership should be chosen. Since the

need for the selection of ownership organisation arises both initially,

while starting a business, and at a later stage for meeting the needs of

growth and expansion, it is desirable to discuss this question at both

these levels. For a new or proposed business, the selection of a suitable

form of ownership organisation is generally governed by the following

factors:

1. Nature of business activity:

This is an important factor having a direct bearing on the choice of a

form of ownership. In small trading businesses, professions, and

personal service trades, sole-proprietorship is predominant. Examples

are Laundromats, beauty parlours, repair shops, consulting agencies,

small retail stores, medicine, dentist accounting concerns, boarding-

house, restaurants, speciality ships, jobbing builders, painters,

decorators, bakers, confectioners, tailoring shops, small scale shoe

repairers and manufactures, etc. The partnership is suitable in all those

cases where sole proprietorship is suitable, provided the business is to be

carried on a slightly bigger scale.

Besides, partnership is also advantageous in case of manufacturing

activities on a modest scale. The finance, insurance, and real estate

industries seem to be suited to partnership form of organisation. Some of

the financial businesses that find this form advantageous are tax,

accounting, and stockbrokerage firms, and consulting agencies.

Service enterprises like hotels and lodging places; trading enterprises,

such as wholesale trade, large scale retail houses; manufacturing

enterprises, such as small drug manufacturers, etc. can be undertaken in

the form of partnership. Manufacturing contains the highest percentage

of companies among all industries. Similarly large chain stores, multiple

shops, super-bazaars, engineering companies are in the form of

companies.

2. Scale of operations:

The second factor that affects the form of ownership organisation is the

scale of operations. If the scale of operations of business activities is

small, sole proprietorship is suitable; if this scale of operations is modest

— neither too small nor too large — partnership is preferable; whereas,

in case of large scale of operations, the company form is advantageous.

The scale of business operations depends upon the size of the market

area served, which, in turn, depends upon the size of demand for goods
and services. If the market area is small, local, sole-proprietorship or

partnership is opted. If the demand originates from a large area,

partnership or company may be adopted.

3. Capital requirements:

Capital is one of the most crucial factors affecting the choice of a

particular form of ownership organisation. Requirement of capital is

closely related to the type of business and scale of operations.

Enterprises requiring heavy investment (like iron and steel plants,

medicinal plants, etc.) should be organised as joint stock companies.

Enterprises requiring small investment (like retail business stores,

personal service enterprises, etc.) can be best organised as sole

proprietorships. Apart from the initial capital required to start a business,

the future capital requirements—to meet modernisation, expansion, and

diversification plans —also affect the choice of form of ownership

organisation. In sole proprietorship, the owner may raise additional

capital by borrowing, by purchasing on credit, and by investing

additional amounts himself. Banks and suppliers, however, will look

closely at the proprietor’s individual financial resources before

sanctioning loans or advances. Partnerships can often raise funds with

greater ease, since the resources and credit of all partners are combined

in a single enterprise. Companies are usually best able to attract capital

because investors are assured that their liability will be limited.

4. Degree of control and management:

The degree of control and management that an entrepreneur desires to

have over business affects the choice of ownership organisation. In sole

proprietorship, ownership, management, and control are completely

fused, and therefore, the entrepreneur has complete control over

business. In partnership, management and control of business is jointly

shared by partners.

They have equal voice in the management of partnership business except

to the extent that they agree to divide among themselves the business

responsibilities. Even then, they are legally accountable to each other. In

a company, however, there is divorce between ownership and

management. The management and control of company business is

entrusted to the elected representatives of shareholders. Thus, a person

wishing to have complete and direct control of business prefers

proprietary organisation rather than partnership or company. If he is

prepared to share it with others, he will choose partnership. But, if he is

just not bothered about it, he will go in for company.

5. Degree of risk and liability:

The size of risk and the willingness of owners to bear it is an important

consideration in the selection of a legal form of ownership organisation.

The amount of risk involved in a business depends, among other, on the

nature and size of business. Smaller the size of business, smaller the

amount of risk.

Thus, a sole proprietary business carries small amount of risk with it as

compared to partnership or company. However, the sole proprietor is

personally liable for all the debts of the business to the extent of his

entire property. Likewise, in partnership, partners are individually and

jointly responsible for the liabilities of the partnership firm.

Companies have a real advantage, as far as the risk goes, over other

forms of ownership. Creditors can force payment on their claims only to

the limit of the company’s assets. Thus, while a shareholder may lose

the entire money he put into the company, he cannot be forced to

contribute additional funds out of his own pocket to satisfy business

debts.

6. Stability of business:

Stability of business is yet another factor that governs the choice of an

ownership organisation. A stable business is preferred by the owners

insofar as it helps him in attracting suppliers of capital who look for

safety of investment and regular return, and also helps in getting

competent workers and managers who look for security of service and

opportunities of advancement. From this point of view, sole

proprietorships are not stable, although no time limit is placed on them

by law. The illness of owner may derange the business and his death

cause the demise of the business. Partnerships are also unstable, since

they are terminated by the death, insolvency, insanity, or withdrawal of

one of the partners. Companies have the most permanent legal structure.

The life of the company is not dependent upon the life of this member.

Members may come, members may go, but the company goes on

forever.

7. Flexibility of administration:

As far as possible, the form of organisation chosen should allow

flexibility of administration. The flexibility of administration is closely

related to the internal organisation of a business, i.e., the manner in

which organisational activities are structured into departments, sections,

and units with a clear definition of authority and responsibility. The

internal organisation of a sole proprietary business, for instance, is very

simple, and therefore, any change in its administration can be effected

with least inconvenience and loss. To a large extent, the same is true of a

partnership business also. In a company organisation, however,

administration is not that flexible because its activities are conducted on

a large scale and they are quite rigidly structured. Any substantial

change in the existing line of business activity — say from cotton

textiles to sugar manufacturing — may not be permitted by law if such a

provision is not made in the ‘objects clause’ of the Memorandum of

Association of the company. Even when it is permitted by the

Memorandum, it might have to be endorsed by the shareholders at the

general meeting of the company. Thus, from flexibility point of view,

sole proprietorship has a distinct edge over other forms.

8. Division of profit:

Profit is the guiding force of private business and it has a tremendous

influence on the selection of a particular form of ownership organisation.

An entrepreneur desiring to pocket all the profits of business will

naturally prefer sole proprietorship. Of course, in sole proprietorship, the

personal liability is also unlimited. But, if he is willing to share the

profits partnership is best. In company organisation, however, the profits

(whenever the Board of Directors decides) are distributed among

shareholders in proportion to their shareholding, but the liability is also

limited. The rate of dividend is generally quite low.

9. Costs, procedure, and government regulation:

This is also an important factor that should be taken into account while

choosing a particular form of organisation. Different forms of

organisation involve different procedure for establishment, and are

governed by different laws which affect the immediate and long-term

functioning of a business enterprise. From this point of view, sole

proprietorships are the easiest and cheapest to get started. There is no

government regulation. What is necessary is the technical competence

and the business acumen of the owner.

Causes or reasons of business combinations

ANSWER

Business combinations are the result of a variety of causes. The causes

are highly complex and so it is very difficult to classify them under

definite categories. However, the causes fall under two broad groups

namely:

i). Causes, which are meant for the reduction in the cost of production,

ii). Causes directed to enforce the selling price.

Besides these economic factors, there are certain non-economic

factors, which have also influenced the formation of combinations.

Now, we shall discuss some of the principal causes for the growth of

the combination movement.

1. Elimination of Cutthroat Competition

Large-scale production and intense competition have become the rule

of the present day economy. Cutthroat competition leads to wasteful

advertising, unnecessary duplication, over production etc., which all

ultimately result in lowering the profit margin of the industrialists.

Under such circumstances, small units could not survive. Therefore, the

only alternative available to the industrialists is the elimination of

competition, which could be possible only through business

combination.

2. Economies of Large-scale Production

Large-sale production has certain definite advantages. If different firms

come together and form amalgamations, the scale of operation also

become larger and savings in overhead charges can be effected.

3. Influence of Tariff

The tariff policies of different countries have also furthered the causes

of the combination movement. Tariff is often described as the “Mother

of Combination“. By imposing high tariff on imported goods, the

Governments throughout the world offered protection to home

industries. The protection offered by the state resulted in the

establishment of a number of business units. Consequently,

competition amongst them became tense and the need for business

combination was felt.

4. Transport Revolution

Another contributory cause for the combination movement was the

revolution in transport and development of communications. The

development of transport facilities accelerated the growth of large-

scale undertakings. The large undertakings began to absorb smaller

units to cater to the needs of the local market.

5. Organizational Revolution

The growth of joint stock companies has also facilitated combinations.

Basically the company form of organization itself is a type of

combination. Large companies with huge capital were able to control

comparatively small companies by subscribing to their shares. Hence,

holding companies came into being.

6. Control of the Market

Another important cause for the rise of the combination movement

was the desire to control the market by regulating the output. This goal

could be achieved only through business combination.

7. Trade Cycles

The tendency of business activities to fluctuate regularly between

booms and depressions gave a fillip to business combinations.

Particularly during the periods of depression, new units cannot enter

into the industry and even the existing small and inefficient units

cannot survive. During 1930, when the Great Depression occurred, the

situation became very awkward and the industrialists began to adopt

the technique of business combination.

8. Technological Factors

The technological development also paved way for large-scale

operations. Small units with limited financial resources were found

unable to compete with bigger ones. Hence, they realized the need for

business combination. Moreover, the adoption of modern techniques

required huge capital investments, which small units could not provide.

Therefore, they were forced to combine themselves to get the benefits

of modernization.

9. Patent Laws
Business Combination has also been fostered by patent laws. The

inventors were given exclusive right of the use of their inventions. This

statutory right also furthered the combination movement.

10. Individual Ability

Men of technical skill of a superior order are less in number. The

scarcity of business talent is also a cause for the centralization of

powers in the hands of a few. Many combines have common directors,

managers, which in effect would mean their common control.

11. Policies of the Government

The labour, fiscal, industrial and taxation policies of the Governments

also influenced the formation of business combinations. The

Government may even exert pressure on weaker units to merge with

bigger ones. Frequent changes in the policies of the Government also

increased the uncertainty among the businessmen. The instability of

the economic policies also encouraged the growth of the combination

movement.
12. Rationalization

In fact, combination is the first step towards rationalization. The growth

of rationalization movement encouraged the emergence of business

combinations to a great extent.

13. Cult of the Colossal

The mid-nineteenth century brought in its wake the cult of the colossal-

respect for bigness. People began to respect big things and there was a

corresponding contempt for small things. The impact of this tendency

was felt in the business field also. The glamour for giant undertakings

captured the minds of the industrialists. This tendency also furthered

the combination movement.