Abstract

Ethnic entrepreneurship can be an alternative economic strategy among immigrants whose labor market opportunities in the host society are hindered by language deficiency, institutional constraints or racial discrimination. However, it can also constrain migrants’ social economic mobility. This is especially likely when, with particular visa policies, ethnic business is appropriated as a channel for labor migration, trapping migrants in a narrow economic niche. Excessive concentration in one type of business leads to low road competition within the community and co-ethnic exploitation. This study uses the case of Nepalese immigrants’ restaurant businesses in Japan to illustrate this pitfall of ethnic entrepreneurship. It highlights the roles of the immigration regime and the migration industry in creating such a condition.

摘要

对于那些在东道国社会的劳动力市场机会因语言缺陷、制度限制或种族歧视而受到阻碍的移民来说，种族创业可以成为一种替代经济策略。然而，它也会限制移民的社会经济流动性。当在特定的签证政策下，少数民族企业被用作劳动力移民的渠道，将移民困在狭窄的经济利基中时，这种情况尤其可能发生。过度集中于一种业务会导致社区内的低水平竞争和同族剥削。本研究以尼泊尔移民在日本经营餐馆的案例来说明少数民族创业的陷阱。它强调了移民制度和移民行业在创造这种条件方面的作用。