noun
business cooperative; business cooperative association
A legal entity formed by small businesses or sole proprietors to collaborate on shared operations, purchasing, or marketing under the Small and Medium Enterprise Cooperative Association Act.
地元の商店が集まって事業協同組合を設立した。
Local shops got together and established a business cooperative association.
Compound of 事業 (business) + 協同 (cooperation) + 組合 (association).