Big fish and small fish? salmon firms, institutional change and sectoral conflict in Chile

Abstract

There are few studies that address the relationship between the State and entrepreneurs in specific productive sectors, so that the elements that play a role in this relationship are not entirely clear. This paper deals with the relationship between salmon entrepreneurs and the Chilean State during the institutional change in aquaculture. This is done through the process tracing methodology. An analysis is made of the process of forming a coalition between business owners and the state, the relevance of the state’s success in generating autonomy in the institutional design process, and the problems of collective action that arose among the salmon business owners.  The conclusion is that the salmon farmers who best positioned their preferences were those who led the guild in institutional change, and who participated in the institutional design.