Final answer:
The owner of a corporation is known as a stockholder or shareholder, who buys stock and becomes part-owner of the company. Stakeholders, unlike shareholders, include anyone with an interest in the company's operations. Other business entities include general partnerships with general partners and limited partnerships with limited partners.
Step-by-step explanation:
The owner of a corporation is known as a stockholder or shareholder. When an individual or entity purchases stock in a corporation, they become a part-owner of that company, entitling them to a share of the profits and, in some cases, voting rights in corporate governance. It's important to differentiate shareholders from stakeholders, as stakeholders can be anyone who is affected by the business's operations and not just those who own part of it through stock. In contrast, general partnerships and sole proprietorships are different forms of business ownership, where the business is owned directly by the individuals involved without the sale of stock.
A general partner is an owner in a general partnership, where all partners have an active role in managing the business and share responsibility and liability. A limited partner is someone who invests in a partnership but does not take an active role in its management and has limited liability. The terms private company, public company, and corporate governance also appear in the context of business ownership and structure, which can be further explored to understand the nuances of corporate entities.