Resources are pooled for the mutual benefit of its members mainly in a

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks which type of business organisation pools resources mainly for the mutual benefit of its members. The key phrase is "mutual benefit", not profit for owners or shareholders.

Step 2: Explain the concept Business organisations differ in their main purpose:

• Cooperative society: A voluntary association of people with common needs who pool their resources (money, labour, produce) to help one another. Examples include thrift and credit societies, farmers' cooperatives and consumer cooperatives. The goal is service and mutual benefit, with profit as a secondary aim. Members share surplus as dividends or patronage rebates.
• Joint stock company: Capital is raised by selling shares to the public. The main aim is profit for shareholders.
• Private company: Shares are held by a small group (2 to 50 members) and are not offered to the public. It is run for profit.
• Partnership: Two to twenty persons carry on business together with a view to profit.

Step 3: Apply to the options

• B, C and D are all profit-oriented businesses, so their resources are pooled mainly to make profit.
• A, the cooperative society, is the only one formed mainly so members can help one another, for example through cheap loans, bulk buying or joint marketing of produce.

Step 4: Answer The correct option is A. cooperative society.

Exam tip: Whenever you see the words "mutual benefit", "members help one another" or "service rather than profit", think cooperative society. Whenever you see "shares", "shareholders" or "profit", think company.