Urayoán Jordán Salivia] Integration of the Cooperative Movement: the Case of Puerto Rico

© [2020] [Urayoán Jordán Salivia] Integration of the Cooperative Movement: The Case of Puerto Rico by Urayoan Jordrin Salivia Jlly,2020 Presented to the College of Public Affairs School of International and Public Affairs University of Baltimore In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctorate of Public Administration t"**s#n/'b'{*g Approved or, # , Committee Member] Garcia, PhD, Committee Member] Acknowledgments Dedico este trabajo a mi esposa, Andrea. Sin su apoyo y comprensión no me hubiera sido posible terminarlo. Agradezco mucho todo el apoyo de los miembros de mi comité y el tiempo que me dedicaron: Dr. Heather Wyatt-Nichol, Dr. George Julnes y Dra. Marinés Aponte García. También a la Dra. Patria Julnes, quien me apoyó durante todos mis años de estudio. Finalmente, gracias a los participantes del movimiento cooperativo que estuvieron dispuestos a proveerme sus observaciones y opiniones para que lograra una investigación significativa. Espero que este trabajo contribuya al desarrollo del cooperativismo en Puerto Rico. ii Abstract Integration of the Cooperative Movement: The Case of Puerto Rico Urayoán Jordán Salivia Integration among cooperatives is one of the principles promoted by these social-economic organizations. A well-integrated cooperative movement is a system that has the potential to contribute to the common good of society in many different ways, including the democratization of the economy. This research explored the current integration status of cooperatives in Puerto Rico and the factors that affect it, adapting work from the strategic alliance theory as a framework. The findings demonstrate a low level of integration and the factors identified in the strategic alliance literature are also present in cooperatives’ integration efforts. Also found was a lack of understanding about integration among participants and a capitalist behavior that struggles with cooperative principles and purposes. iii Table of Contents Chapter 1 Introduction................................................................................... 1 Statement of the Problem................................................................ 1 Purpose of the Study....................................................................... 3 Research Questions......................................................................... 5 Theoretical Framework................................................................... 5 Chapter 2 Literature Review.......................................................................... 11 Background on Cooperatives – Cooperativism and Cooperatives... 11 Foundations – Rochdale Pioneers.............................................. 12 Types and Sectors of Cooperatives........................................... 13 Cooperative Principles.............................................................. 14 Cooperatives’ Identity............................................................... 15 Cooperatives and Capitalism.................................................... 17 International Cooperative Alliance........................................... 19 United Nations’ Recognition of the Cooperative Movement... 19 General Background History of Puerto Rico............................. 20 Cooperativism in Puerto Rico................................................... 22 First Period: 1873-1919 – First Organized Efforts.............. 23 Second Period: 1920-1945 – Laws and Governmental Support................................................................... 24 Third Period: 1946-1990 – Institutionalization.................... 25 Fourth Period: 1992-present – Reformulation..................... 28 iv Basic Data from Cooperatives.................................................. 29 Education and Cooperatives.................................................... 30 Integration Among Cooperatives................................................... 32 Definition, Purposes and Advantages....................................... 33 Multiple Forms of Integration................................................... 35 Integration: What it Looks Like................................................ 39 Capitalist vs. Social and Solidarity Systems............................. 41 Integration in Action................................................................. 43 Comparison of Successful Integration Cases in the Literature.. 54 Cases of Integration Among Cooperatives in Puerto Rico....... 57 Third-Degree Cooperatives................................................. 57 Second-Degree Cooperatives.............................................. 57 Other Integrated Groups...................................................... 59 Unsuccessful Attempts........................................................ 61 Government Controlled Bodies........................................... 62 Summary of Integration Cases in Puerto Rico.................... 64 Studies About Integration Among Cooperatives...................... 68 Strategic Alliance Theory.............................................................. 71 Definition, Purposes, and Advantages...................................... 71 Types of Strategic Alliances..................................................... 73 Motivators and Drivers to Form Alliances............................... 77 Factors that Influence the Formation of Alliances.................... 79 Forming Strategic Alliances...................................................... 81 v Implementation and Management of Alliances......................... 82 Obstacles and Challenges that Influence Level of Success....... 84 Measuring the Level of Success of Alliances............................ 88 Strategic Alliances and Integration Among Cooperatives......... 90 Chapter 3 Methodology.................................................................................. 92 Research Design......................................................................... 92 Population and Sample............................................................... 93 Sources....................................................................................... 98 Setting........................................................................................ 100 Instrumentation.......................................................................... 100 Limitations and Delimitations................................................... 105 Data Collection.......................................................................... 106 Data Analysis............................................................................. 106 Chapter 4 Analysis.......................................................................................... 109 Understanding of Integration Among Cooperatives....................... 109 Current Status of Integration Among Cooperatives and its Possible Causes............................................................................... 114 Characteristics of Current Integrated Groups................................. 121 Summary and Analysis of Integrated Group Characteristics.... 136 Obstacles Towards Integration Among Cooperatives.................... 137 Summary and Analysis of Obstacles for Integration................. 191 Motivators for Integration............................................................... 193 Summary and Analysis of Motivators for Integration............... 235 vi Activities Conducted....................................................................... 238 Low-Level Activities................................................................. 241 Medium-Level Activities........................................................... 248 High-Level Activities................................................................. 257 Alternative Visualizations for Constructed Scale............................ 273 Summary and Analysis of Activities Conducted – Scale........... 283 Fostering a Higher Level of Integration.......................................... 286 Responsibility to Foster Integration Among Cooperatives............. 322 Reasons for not Participating in Integration Efforts........................ 323 Suggested New Integration Activities............................................. 324 Summary of Findings...................................................................... 331 Chapter 5 Conclusions and Recommendations............................................ 334 Appendix A Questionnaire.................................................................................. 343 Appendix B Consent Form for Participation in the Research............................. 346 References.............................................................................................................. 348 vii List of Tables Table 2.1 – Basic Data Financial Cooperatives (Law 255).......................... 29 Table 2.2 – Basic Data Diverse Types Cooperatives (Law 329)................. 30 Table 2.3 – Basic Data Youth Cooperatives (Law 220).............................. 30 Table 2.4 –Comparison of Successful Integration Cases Around the World ......................................................................................... 56 Table 2.5 – Comparison of Integration Cooperative Groups in Puerto Rico...................................................................................... 67 Table 2.6 – Government-Controlled Bodies Related to Cooperative Integration....................................................................................... 68 Table 2.7 – Scale of Integrated Activities..................................................

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