The Role of Ethnicity in Enclave Enterprises

A Study of the Chinese Garment Factories in New York City

Datos Bibliográficos

ID2499166
AutoresBernard Wong (0000-0003-0724-1635), Bernard P Wong (0000-0003-0443-5100, San Francisco State University, autor de correspondencia)
Año1987
Volumen46
Número2
Páginas120-130
Fecha de publicación1987-06-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessNo
TipoARTICLE
RevistaHuman Organization (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0018-7259 • E-ISSN: 1938-3517
EditorialInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.17730/humo.46.2.63375m2736563873
OpenAlexW2025921228
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas10
Referencias citadas10

As part of current efforts to understand the role of ethnicity in entrepreneurship, the present study investigates the cultural/ethnic aspects of the Chinese garment factories in New York City. It was found that enclave enterprises function differently than those in the center economy. The often assumed incompatibility of traditional values, personalism, familism and informal social relations which prevail in the enclave economy are important assets for the entrepreneurial pursuits of Chinese in the ethnic enclave in New York City. The skillful use of non-economic resources is vital in the establishment of the efficient but small garment factories which are best suited for: (1) the exploitation of the opportunity structure of New York's garment industry, (2) the maximization of capital and labor resources, and (3) the neutralization of management/labor conflicts. Contrary to the claims of many social scientists that ethnic enterprises are riven by conflicts and burdened by low productivity, the present study found that ethnic enterprises are successful. A major factor for their success is that ethnic enterprises are supported by a repertory of ethnic resources. Proper management of ethnic/cultural resources is a key to the entrepreneurial pursuits of ethnic businessmen

Business · Economic growth · Economics · Entrepreneurship · Ethnic group · Political science · Social capital · Social science · Sociology · Entrepreneurship Studies and Influences · Law · Migration and Labor Dynamics · Migration, Ethnicity, and Economy