A
business (also called
firm or an
enterprise) is a legally recognized organizational entity designed to provide
goods and/or services to consumers. Businesses are predominant in capitalist economies, most being privately owned and formed to earn profit to increase the wealth of owners.
The owners and operators of a business have as one of their main objectives
the receipt or generation of a financial return in exchange for work and acceptance of risk. Notable exceptions include cooperative businesses and state-owned enterprises.
Socialistic systems involve either government, public, or worker ownership of most sizable businesses.