A business can also be described as an organisation that provides goods and services for human needs.

A company or association of persons

Because companies are legal persons, they also may associate and register themselves as companies – often known as a corporate group. When the company closes it may need a “death certificate” to avoid further legal obligations.

Businesses serve as conductors of economic activity

Businesses may also be social nonprofit enterprises or state-owned public enterprises operated by governments with specific social and economic objectives.

A business owned by multiple private individuals may form as an incorporated company or jointly organized as a partnership. Countries have different laws that may ascribe different rights to the various business entities.