Perusosuus

Perusosuus is a Finnish term that translates to "basic share" or "foundation share." It is a concept primarily used in the context of cooperative enterprises and certain types of companies in Finland. The perusosuus represents a fundamental unit of ownership within a cooperative. When an individual or entity becomes a member of a cooperative, they are typically required to purchase one or more perusosuus. This purchase grants them membership rights and obligations, which can include voting rights at general meetings, the right to receive patronage refunds (osuusmaksu), and the ability to utilize the cooperative's services. The value of a perusosuus is often fixed and may not fluctuate significantly like shares in a publicly traded company. The acquisition of a perusosuus is a prerequisite for participation and benefiting from the cooperative model. In some cases, the term might be used more broadly to refer to a core holding or stake in a Finnish company, though its most common and specific application is within the cooperative sector.