In research on immigrant enterprise, scholars argue that entrepreneurs mobilize
informal support and resources from ethnic affiliations to overcome barriers
associated with their immigrant or 'racial' status. The presumed relationship
between ethnicity and entrepreneurship is relatively straight forward: immigrant
entrepreneurs facing cultural or economic barriers use ethnic resources to
propel their economic strategies.
This assumption is brought under scrutiny in a study of Chinese Canadian
immigrant entrepreneurs in Vancouver, Canada who arrived after 1967, many
of whom are skilled professionals, affluent investors, and experienced
entrepreneurs. Some have formed corporate ethnic enterprises and many
maintain extensive social and commercial ties abroad. What relationship exists
between ethnicity and entrepreneurship in this setting? Do these conditions
necessitate new approaches or concepts? These questions are explored in the
course of the study.
Using ethnographic methods, this study examines the changing patterns and
composition of Chinese Canadian rmmigrant entrepreneurship and the role of
ethnic ties in this process. Consideration is given to the historical precedents and
class and cultural politics surrounding the immigration and participation of
Chinese Canadian entrepreneurs and workers in the Vancouver economy. The
study concludes that existing theory on immigrant enterprise needs move beyond
a narrow focus on ethnicity to consider the historical and cultural context of
immigrant entrepreneurship.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:LACETR/oai:collectionscanada.gc.ca:BVAU.2429/9698 |
| Date | 11 1900 |
| Creators | James, Aaron Jerome West |
| Source Sets | Library and Archives Canada ETDs Repository / Centre d'archives des thèses électroniques de Bibliothèque et Archives Canada |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Relation | UBC Retrospective Theses Digitization Project [http://www.library.ubc.ca/archives/retro_theses/] |
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