Everyone has a different perspective on the advantages of cooperative design. For some it is self-help and self-financing. For others, member ownership. The tax advantage creating free capital. Cooperative values. Collaboration. Etc.
One CEO described his operational priority that states this critical factor most clearly:
Invest in your owner’s agenda and remember, it’s outside your own. The success of your members is the only chance you have at success.
I would add that everything else is just becoming the competition.
Every business is run for the benefit of the owner. Wouldn’t you rather be the owner?