Reconciling Institutional Logics Within First Nations Forestry-Based Social Enterprises

Abstract

The institutional frameworks that Indigenous groups put in place to govern economic processes within their communities are critical to the advancement of their diverse cultural-ecological, social, and economic development goals. Through the lens of institutional logics, this article examines the ways in which First Nations community sawmill enterprises in British Columbia, Canada, navigate the sectoral demands brought by a productivist paradigm of forestry. We find that First Nations community sawmill enterprises represent spaces of both logical tension and innovation where conflicts that arise between dominant “commercial” logics and culturally legitimate “Indigenous” logics can be reconciled. Through this analysis, this article offers an empirical example of the emergence of Indigenous institutional frameworks, as well as a contribution to the growing body of literature that addresses the ways in which hybrid organizations can and do navigate and overcome conflicting institutional logics.

(Re)building first Nations community economies: From forest to frame

“…We use a comparative case study approach (Yin, 1994), which draws upon our experiences as practitioners working with Yuneŝit'in, TNG and other First Nations communities across British Columbia, Canada and which utilizes multiple-methods and available research materials to develop our analysis. First, we utilize the results of eighteen interviews conducted as a part of a previous study on First Nations Community Sawmill Enterprises (Persaud et al, 2021), drawing upon responses specifically related to housing and economic processes. To preserve anonymity, these interviewees are identified numerically (Interviewees 1-18).…”

“…However, the uptake of such a right remains limited given that many First Nations have been forced to accept existing forest management systems and the constrained institutional logics of commercial efficiency and productivism which drive them (Pache and Santos, 2010; Wyatt, 2008). As a result, many believe that reform of British Columbia's forest tenure system could also offer new opportunities for First Nations to obtain greater access to territorial forest resources and to create forestry-related enterprises that are more compatible with their visions for housing and economic futures (Annie L. Booth and Skelton, 2011a; Passelac-Ross and Smith, 2013; Persaud et al, 2021). Regardless of such possible institutional changes, the (de)commoditization of timber will inevitably result in financial versus social value trade-offs that can only be reconciled through a certain level of ethical decision making.…”

“…Structuring a community enterprise such as a sawmill in support of the FTF approach inevitably requires an institutional logic of equity over and above that of productive, market-driven efficiency (Persaud et al, 2021; Rosser, 2005). Generally but certainly not universal, self-sufficient communities do not produce much more than that which is needed, although there is typically some degree of surplus production as a risk management strategy (Groot and Lentjes, 2013).…”

Empresas sociales de países en desarrollo:

“…Bajo este modelo híbrido se debe tener especial cuidado con que se llegue a pensar que las ganancias no son utilizadas en avances sociales, estas deben ser capaces de dar equidad en temas aparentemente conflictivos como los ingresos comerciales y la distribución de las ganancias en beneficios sociales. Debido a eso se dice que las ES están a conciliar e interiorizar los nuevos cambios políticos y gubernamentales, ya que estas empresas cuentan con legitimidad y reconocimiento de sus comunidades (Persaud et al, 2021). Al respecto, también Doherty et al (2014) manifiestan que adaptarse a modelos híbridos es muy fácil, pero se debe asumir el riesgo de cambiar su objetivo social y perder los avances que se hayan logrado hasta ese momento.…”

Contextualizing indigenous venturing: emerging insights for context-based indigenous entrepreneurship research

“…Indigenous entrepreneurship can be defined as a 'new economic enterprise, by and for the benefit of Indigenous people as a means of overcoming disadvantage through active participation in the global economy on a competitive business-based basis' (Hindle and Moroz 2010, 363). Indigenous entrepreneurship scholars have focused on the influence of Indigenous cultures, values, and traditions on the creation and growth of new business ventures (Persaud, Nelson, and Satterfield 2021). A recurring research theme has revolved around the alignment of resources-land, human, cultural, and financial-to meet multidimensional objectives (Murphy et al 2020).…”