Immigrant entrepreneurs in the city: collaboration, competition, and survival in São Paulo
| Author(s) | le Blanc, Sophie | |
| Date Accessioned | 2017-03-24T11:17:25Z | |
| Date Available | 2017-03-24T11:17:25Z | |
| Publication Date | 2016 | |
| Abstract | This dissertation explores immigrant entrepreneurship in the garment industry of São Paulo, Brazil. While few know, Brazil is the fourth largest producer of garments. Most of the production is directed at local consumption, through mostly small and medium size retailing stores and producers. I research two communities in particular: Bolivians and Koreans. Entrepreneurs from both communities form the backbone of the industry, yet their activity has recently come under governmental scrutiny. Because of cases of slave-like labor involving undocumented Bolivian workers, the government has started enforcing labor laws and conducting workshop inspections. The impacts of those inspections on the targeted immigrant groups have seldom been researched. In fact, very little has been written about Koreans and Korean entrepreneurs in Brazil. This dissertation seeks to answer the following research questions: How do immigrant entrepreneurs in this industry perceive and adapt to a situation where they are accused of abuses by a very bureaucratic state? What factors influence their perceptions? ☐ To answer those research questions, I conducted qualitative research in São Paulo from March to July 2013. I collected information from observation and 50 interviews involving 52 entrepreneurs, community organizers, and government agents. To guide my research and analysis, I used a Global Production Network, adding works on social and political capital. Further, a feminist ethic guided my data collection and the overall writing of the dissertation. ☐ Among the main findings, I argue that there are factors beyond financial interest that explain how the Korean and Bolivian communities react to accusations of abuse and heightened control. Those factors are related to the production network, social and political capital. In particular, Koreans lack political capital despite their earlier arrival in the country. In contrast, Bolivians have access to a network of immigrant associations drawing largely from leftist inspirations. This dissertation also establishes that labor law enforcement is not improving conditions of work because both communities find other ways to get around them. Finally, I argue that both communities do not perceive that the government is trying to improve the situation per se, but rather fight abuse as one visible aspect, without consideration for either communities’ wishes or needs. The government’s actions stem from deeply held beliefs and a history of controlling immigration to Brazil. Abuse is perpetuated while the government dismisses the ambitions and agency of vulnerable sectors of the population. | en_US |
| Advisor | Miller, Mark J. | |
| Degree | Ph.D. | |
| Department | University of Delaware, Department of Political Science & International Relations | |
| Unique Identifier | 978347248 | |
| URL | http://udspace.udel.edu/handle/19716/21162 | |
| Publisher | University of Delaware | en_US |
| URI | https://search.proquest.com/docview/1868414395?accountid=10457 | |
| Title | Immigrant entrepreneurs in the city: collaboration, competition, and survival in São Paulo | en_US |
| Type | Thesis | en_US |