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Revisiting the Enclave Hypothesis: Miami Twenty-Five Years Later

Author

Listed:
  • Alejandro Portes

    (Princeton University)

  • Steven Shafer

    (Princeton University)

Abstract

We review the empirical literature on ethnic economic enclaves after the concept was formulated twenty-five years ago. The balance of this literature is mixed, but many studies reporting negative conclusions were marred by faulty measurement of the concept. We discuss the original theoretical definition of enclaves, the hypotheses derived from it, and the difficulties in operationalizing them. For evidence, we turn to census data on the location and the immigrant group that gave rise to the concept in the first place - Cubans in Miami. We examine the economic performance of this group, relative to others in this metropolitan area, and in the context of historical changes in its own mode of incorporation. Taking these changes into account, we find that the ethnic enclave had a significant economic payoff for its founders - the earlier waves of Cuban exiles - and for their children, but not for refugees who arrived in the 1980 Mariel exodus and after. Reasons for this disjuncture are examined. Implications of these results for enclave theory and for immigrant entrepreneurship in general are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Alejandro Portes & Steven Shafer, 2006. "Revisiting the Enclave Hypothesis: Miami Twenty-Five Years Later," Working Papers 333, Princeton University, Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, Center for Migration and Development..
    • Handle: RePEc:pri:cmgdev:wp0610.pdf
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    File URL: http://cmd.princeton.edu/sites/cmd/files/working-papers/papers/wp0610.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Timothy Bates, 1989. "The changing nature of minority business: A comparative analysis of asian, nonminority, and black-owned businesses," The Review of Black Political Economy, Springer;National Economic Association, vol. 18(2), pages 25-42, September.
    2. George J. Borjas, 1986. "The Self-Employment Experience of Immigrants," Journal of Human Resources, University of Wisconsin Press, vol. 21(4), pages 485-506.
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    Cited by:

    1. Alessandro Arrighetti & Daniela Bolzani & Andrea Lasagni, 2014. "Beyond the enclave? Break-outs into mainstream markets and multicultural hybridism in ethnic firms," Entrepreneurship & Regional Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 26(9-10), pages 753-777, December.
    2. Monteiro, Stein, 2021. "Cultural Assimilation: Learning and Sorting," MPRA Paper 110997, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    3. Gabriela Boangiu, 2022. "The Integration of Romanian Migrants in the Danish Society," Anuarul Institutului de Cercetări Socio-Umane „C.S. Nicolăescu-Plopșor” (“C.S. Nicolăescu-Plopşor” Institute for Research in Social Studies and Humanities Yearbook (CSNIPSSH Yearbook)), Institutul de Cercetări Socio-Umane „C.S. Nicolăescu-Plopșor” al Academiei Române, issue XXIII, pages 217-226, December.
    4. Xingang Wang & Sholeh A. Maani, 2021. "Ethnic regional networks and immigrants' earnings: A spatial autoregressive network approach," Papers in Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 100(1), pages 141-168, February.
    5. Müller, Benjamin & Ragoussis, Alexandros, 2016. "Minorities and trade: what do we know, and how can policymakers take it into account?," IDOS Discussion Papers 11/2016, German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS).
    6. Marlene Orozco, 2022. "The salience of ethnic identity in entrepreneurship: an ethnic strategies of business action framework," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 59(1), pages 243-268, June.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration
    • R23 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Household Analysis - - - Regional Migration; Regional Labor Markets; Population

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