University of Prince Edward Island
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UNIVERSITY OF PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND FROM MAINE TO CHILOÉ THE EFFECTS OF SOCIAL ENTERPRISES ON MARGINALIZED EXPERIENCES: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF PENOBSCOT BAY ISLANDS, MAINE AND CHILOÉ ISLANDS, CHILE. By Abigail Franco Vazquez THESIS PRESENTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTERS OF ARTS CHARLOTTETOWN, PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND MAY 2015 © Abigail Franco Vazquez 2015 Abstract Although the notion of islands contains a strong association or undertone of isolation and closure, islands are never closed environments. None the less, Islands are susceptible to exogenous factors and often exposed to development processes that can lead to inequality and inequity in society and space. Global change and the ongoing progression of globalization and processes of deregulation may deepen regional disparities and thus increase or position areas in a state of marginalization. Furthermore, on islands, while size itself matters in economic terms, topography and geographic location relative to major economic centers can also position them in a state of marginalization. Over recent decades, some islands have experienced improvements in terms of their infrastructure, transportation and communication systems. Yet they still struggle with certain aspects such as the cost for daily operation of services, and the overall aspects of development and decision making processes that affect their day to day livelihoods. This research revealed a series of day to day challenges that people on remote islands face. A social enterprise (SE) is a distinctive form of entity that is rapidly gaining recognition from policy makers worldwide. The SEs are seen as unique entities that are changing relationships among those engaged in the market place, civil society and public institutions. They are able to do this through the pursuit of goals that go beyond mere profit acquisition. IV This study compares SEs located on islands in the Penobscot Bay, off the coast of Maine on the United States’ eastern sea board, and the Islands of Chiloé, off the southwest coast of Chile. This study of SEs offers an opportunity to understand people’s experiences with SEs and whether, how, and under what circumstances SEs affect the lives of those experiencing marginalization. Furthermore, it explores the effect on the level of inclusion of individuals within island society and their communities and how SEs aid their members in improving their quality of life. V Acknowledgment First of all I would like to thank my supervisor Dr Irené Novaczek who never stopped being my supervisor, after leaving the university. Thanks Irené and Ernest, for your hospitality during those retreat days. I enjoyed the company and walking on the trails during this process so much. Dr. Mark Lapping who enthusiastically accepted to be part of my committee, and who introduced me to the Island Institute during my first scouting trip for Social Enterprises (SEs) on the islands of Maine. To Dr. Lynda Harling Stalker whom I met at the Islands of the Word XI Conference 2010, “Celebrating island Connectivity” held in Bornholm, Denmark, and who was willing to become part of this committee at a critical time for my work. I would like to thank all of you, and to express my deepest appreciation for your support (critical guidance, ideas, and patience) through this investigation that was so important for me. I would like to take advantage of this space to give important recognition for those who enabled my academic and field work during my research in Island Studies: The Erwin & Joyce Andrews Scholarship, The Robin Rigby Trust Scholarship, and to ANSER for their honorable mentioning of this research project at the ANSER- ARES conference for Graduate Student Research Awards in 2012. The Social Economy Network with whom I started on this path through the IIS and internship in Chiloe, including the Island Studies Institute and staff members. The coastal community organizations: The Williche Council of Chiefs, and Island Institute in Maine. During my field work I received support from organizations including: the health center from Achao in Quinchao Island, and various other municipal VI agencies and small island organizations and individuals from Chiloe. In Maine, the Vinalhaven Town Office, Andrew Dorr from the Island Institute Fellows Program, Karol Kucinski & Gigi Baas, Kathie Lannicelli, Emily Brooke Thomas and her family, and all the many other people; I am grateful for their welcoming hospitality and collaboration. I'd like to thank my fellow graduates who are on the same journey and who formed a very supportive system. I wish them success with their work and every aspect of their life both now and beyond graduation. A special thanks to my husband Nathaniel Preston with whom I shared this voyage on the world academia of Island Studies. I would like to express my gratitude to my beautiful family and also friends, many of whom I met during my work. Because there is no memory of success that is not also a memory of struggle, I would like to thank you all for helping me achieve this important work. VII Dedication To those who live around scattered archipelagic areas, from whom this research interest was born. THE SEA THE SEA! the sea! the open sea! The blue, the fresh, the ever free! Without a mark, without a bound, It runneth the earth’s wide regions round; It plays with the clouds; it mocks the skies; Or like a cradled creature lies. I ’m on the sea! I ’m on the sea! I am where I would ever be; With the blue above, and the blue below, And silence wheresoe’er I go; If a storm should come and awake the deep, What matter? I shall ride and sleep. I love, oh, how I love to ride On the fierce, foaming, bursting tide, When every mad wave drowns the moon, Or whistles aloft his tempest tune, And tells how goeth the world below, And why the sou’west blasts do blow. I never was on the dull, tame shore, But I loved the great sea more and more, And backwards flew to her billowy breast, Like a bird that seeketh its mother’s nest; And a mother she was, and is, to me; For I was born on the open sea! The waves were white, and red the morn, In the noisy hour when I was born; And the whale it whistled, the porpoise rolled, And the dolphins bared their backs of gold; And never was heard such an outcry wild As welcomed to life the ocean-child! VIII I ’ve lived since then, in calm and strife, Full fifty summers, a sailor’s life, With wealth to spend and a power to range, But never have sought nor sighed for change; And Death, whenever he comes to me, Shall come on the wild, unbounded sea! Bryan Waller Procter IX Table of Contents Abstract ................................................... IV Acknowledgment ............................................ VI Dedication ............................................... VIII List of figures and Tables .................................... XIII List of abbreviations ......................................... XIV Chapter One: Introduction ....................................... 1 The Meaning of Social Enterprises ............................... 1 Research Framework and Rationale: Social Enterprise Research Meets Island Studies ................................................... 4 Thesis Outline ............................................ 13 Chapter Two: Background and Context of the Islands of Maine and Chiloé .. 14 Islands Geography ......................................... 14 Vital Statistics: Maine and Chiloé Islands ......................... 17 Economic Transitions: Maine and Chiloé ......................... 27 Island Connectedness ....................................... 36 Chapter Three: Methodology and Research Design ................... 40 Research Sites: Maine Islands and Chiloé ........................ 42 Participant Selection ........................................ 44 Data Analysis ............................................. 46 Validity and Consent ........................................ 49 Chapter Four: The Contested Conceptualization of Social Enterprises ...... 51 Motive Force behind Social Enterprise Development ................. 59 What is a Social Enterprise in Chile? ............................ 63 Participant’s Definitions of Social Enterprises Chiloé ................. 66 Identifying the SEs in Chiloé .................................. 68 Overview of Chilean Organizations ............................. 72 The Co-ops of Punta Chilén, Putique and Lemuy .................. 72 The Indigenous Health Centers .............................. 74 X A Distinctive Trade Union; Sea and Beach ...................... 76 The Women’s Organizations: Twelve Roses and the Artisans Group ... 79 Participant’s Definitions of Social Enterprises in Maine ............... 81 Identifying the SEs in Maine .................................. 83 The Social Enterprises of Maine ............................... 85 SE Organizations for Recreation and Education: ARC and North Haven Arts and Enrichment Center .................................... 85 SE Facilities for Health and Eldercare: Island Community and Medical Services, and Ivan Calderwood Eldercare Service ................. 87 SE Organizations for Food Security: Monhegan Farm Project on Monhegan ..................................................... 89 Social Responsibility Organizations: Go Fish on Vinalhaven and Turner Farm on North Haven ..................................... 90 The Traditional Not For Profits: Vinalhaven Land Trust, Monhegan Associates, Inc., MISCA, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Historical Society ...............................................