What is a significant drawback of a cooperative structure?

A significant drawback of a cooperative structure is indeed slow decision-making. In cooperatives, each member typically has an equal say in the decision-making process, which can lead to lengthy discussions and deliberations. This democratic approach, while ensuring that all members have a voice, can slow down the ability to make quick business decisions and respond promptly to changing market conditions or opportunities.

For instance, if urgent action is needed to capitalize on a market opportunity or address a crisis, the requirement for consensus among members can hinder timely responses. This can be particularly challenging in competitive industries where swift decision-making is critical.

While factors such as strict regulations, high operational costs, and limited access to capital may be relevant concerns for different business structures, they don't directly reflect the intrinsic operational characteristic of cooperatives that impacts their agility in decision-making. Slow decision-making stands out as a core issue inherent to the cooperative model itself, making it a notable drawback in practice.