What term is used to describe a joint venture where two or more people own and operate a business?

The term that describes a joint venture where two or more people own and operate a business is "partnership." In a partnership, the individuals involved share ownership, responsibilities, profits, and losses according to the terms of their agreement. This structure allows for diverse skills and resources to be pooled together, enhancing the business's potential for success.

For example, in a partnership, partners can bring different expertise and perspectives, which can lead to better decision-making and problem-solving. Partnerships also benefit from shared financial investment, which might provide greater capital and reduce individual risk compared to operating alone.

The other terms describe different business structures: a sole proprietorship involves one individual who owns and runs the business fully, a corporation is a separate legal entity owned by shareholders, and a cooperative is an organization owned and operated by a group for their mutual benefit. Each of these structures has distinct characteristics, but a partnership specifically emphasizes the collaboration of multiple owners in managing a business together.