Final answer:
Owners have legal title and rights over their property or business. In the context of corporations, shareholders are the legal owners. All ownership forms, including sole proprietorships and corporations, entail both rights and responsibilities.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that owners of an organization consist of all those who can claim it as their legal property is generally true. Ownership means having the legal title to a property or business, which allows owners to use their property, including the right to enter into contracts with other parties. For instance, in the context of a sole proprietorship, the business is organized by one person, and this individual has both complete control over all assets and is solely responsible for all liabilities.
In a corporation, shareholders are considered the owners because they hold shares of the company and are entitled to a return on their investment. This is in contrast with stakeholders, who have an interest in the company's operations but may not have legal ownership rights. Additionally, being an owner comes with responsibilities; this notion is clearly illustrated by historical examples such as proprietary colonies, where proprietors were responsible for more than just collecting profits.