Ethnic Entrepreneurship, Social Networks, and the Enclave

Transnational networking and business performance: Ethnic entrepreneurs in Canada

“…They may act as platforms for, or spring-boards to, better business performance through access to markets beyond those of the host country, the support of fellow transmigrants from the entrepreneur's homeland in starting or maintaining a business in the host country, and a path for providing financial support to kin in the homeland (Portes, Haller, and Guarnizo 2002;Aldrich and Cliff 2003). The migration of additional family members and associates to the host country is also encouraged by transnational networking, and through this, co-ethnic employment evolves, a practice that reduces risks associated with manpower and financial investments (Waldinger 1994;Salaff et al 2003;Min 2005). Granovetter (1985) generally concludes that business relations are intermingled with social or emotional relations, the implication being that different aspects of such relations or links may contribute to the different aspects of business performance.…”

“…Transnational networking is identified as activities that bridge national borders, carried out by ethnic entrepreneurs mainly with their homeland (Saxenian 2002;Salaff et al 2003) and aimed at both leveraging and utilizing mutually shareable assets such as information, contacts, and trust. Considered a strategy that enhances economic and social mobility in the host country, transnational networking encompasses a broad range of diverse activities, such as visiting the country of origin; maintaining social networks with family, friends, and associates in the country of origin; facilitating co-ethnic newcomers' adaptation and assimilation into the host country (by dispatching remittances, information and other resources to prospective emigrant kin and acquaintances); providing financial support; obtaining and disseminating information; recruiting a labour force; and blending knowledge (Portes, Haller, and Guarnizo 2002;Saxenian 2002;Aldrich and Cliff 2003;Robinson 2005).…”

“…Co-ethnic enclave networking refers to an interdependent ethnic network of social and business relationships with associates of the country of origin that is geographically concentrated and viewed as a source of social cohesion and economic support. It is based on providing the members of ethnic groups with opportunities to find employment in co-ethnic businesses, launch their own businesses with the support of co-ethnic associates, buy and/or supply co-ethnic merchandise and more (Bates 1994;Waldinger 1994;Portes, Guarnizo, and Landolt 1999;Portes 2001;Salaff et al 2003). Co-ethnic enclave networking seems to be relevant to the phenomenon of transnationalism by linking together the societies of origin and settlement through which ethnic immigrants create social and business fields that cross national borders.…”

The Emotional City: Refugee Settlement and Neoliberal Urbanism in Calgary

“…In particular, rootedness in a broader ethnic or religious community can be crucial to positive outcomes for immigrants. The residential coherence of the "ethnic neighborhood," and the sense of community and solidarity that can emerge there, have been foundational to the success of other migrants and even subsequent generations (Bunting and Filion 2000; Gross and Schmitt 2001;Murdie and Teixeira 2003;Salaff et al 2003). Indeed, the "ethnic neighborhood" is an example of social infrastructure, as the social and emotional networks created in these places can support the settlement process.…”

A socioeconomic analysis of Ethiopian migrant entrepreneurs in South Africa

“…Campbell (2006), Hovil (2007) and Lindley (2010) have argued that there is a need for developing a realistic, relevant, economically pragmatic and feasible policy that could be used for recruiting deserving migrants for settlement in South Africa as part of the plan to grow the national economy. What has been proposed by the authors is based on classic empirical studies conducted by Kim and Hurh (1985), Knight (1921), Marx (1967), Birch (1979), Blalock (1967), Sombart (1914), Schumpeter (1934), Rath (2006), Simmel (1950), Salaff (2002) and Dana (2007Dana ( , 2008, in which the benefits of welcoming and empowering migrant communities have been documented in graphic detail and numerous tangible examples. The authors have by and large called for improved assistance to migrant communities as a means of transforming them into a self-sustaining and productive segment of society.…”