Ethnic-collective action, intergroup competition and social networks: Formation of ethnic-trade guilds

Abstract

This inquiry examines the conditions under which ethnicity gives rise to more stable forms of collective action such as ethnic-trade guilds. Derived from competition and enclave theory it tests the hypothesis that ethnic-trade guilds surface in response to: (a) intergroup competition; (b) shared judgement over the fairness of the exigent competition; and (c) the organizing capacity of ethnic networks. Supporting evidence rests on the mobilizing efforts of Japanese Americans in the immigrant-based niche of contract gardening and the new sentinels of this niche, Latino Americans. Two divergent patterns of intergroup competition are revealed: exclusion (marginalized) and inclusion (compelled incorporation). Both stem from competing groups over conflicting goals. Two additional expectations are confirmed – that inequity of intergroup competition facilitates the collective action process; and that ethnic networks operate as social conduits through which actors are mobilized.

Keywords:

• Ethnic-collective action
• ethnic-trade guilds
• ethnic networks
• ethnic competition
• Asian and Latino American immigrants
• minority entrepreneurs

Acknowledgements

This study was made possible through generous grants from the Rockefeller Foundation and California State University at Los Angeles. The author is also indebted to Eui-Young Yu and the anonymous reviewers of this journal. A special note of appreciation must go to Bernard Berk for his continued encouragement and guidance during this rite of passage.

Notes

1. See Tsukashima (1991) and Tsuchida (1984) on the origin and development of this ethnic niche in southern California.

2. Working through a referral system, the Southern California Gardeners’ Federation, Association of Latin American Gardeners of Los Angeles, and two unions assisted in constructing a working list of informants from which oral histories were culled. Interviews were extensive; running from 90 minutes to in excess of five hours. The need for follow-ups and hard-to-contact informants necessitated telephone interviews.

3. Archive of Labor and Urban Affairs, Wayne State University, Detroit; Labor and Archive Research Center, San Francisco State University; City Archives of Los Angeles.

4. Crafting a meaningful measure of fairness remains illusive. That fairness may be socially constructed to support one's interest while discredit that of one's opponent underscores this concern in cross-cultural studies. Assessing the differential impact of fairness on ethnic-collective action in this context introduces a new dimension to the analysis. Elaborating this dimension, however, falls beyond the scope of this inquiry. Nevertheless, that both Japanese and Mexican immigrants in southern California gardening hail predominantly from provincial/ascriptive backgrounds (rural-agricultural, small towns) suggest that they may have more in common with the norm of collective good than groups from highly individualistic settings

5. From Hardy to McFetridge, 25 and 30 November 1949, Service Employees International Union [SEIU] Microfilm Collection, Box 83; ‘Reports of the Eleventh Annual Convention, California State Council of the Building Service Employees International Union’, 1949, p. 7, SEIU Local 790 Collection.

6. From Hardy to McFetridge, 18 August 1949, SEIU Microfilm Collection, Box 83.

7. From Hardy to McFetridge, 27 December 1949, SEIU Microfilm Collection, Box 83.

8. From Hardy to McFetridge, 16 September 1949, SEIU Microfilm Collection, Box 83.

9. From Hardy to McFetridge, 27 December 1949, SEIU Microfilm Collection, Box 83.

10. From Hardy to McFetridge, 9 September 1949, SEIU Microfilm Collection, Box 83.

11. From Hardy to McFetridge, 27 December 1949, SEIU Microfilm Collection, Box 83.

12. ‘City Hall news from Councilman Braude’, 15 August 1995, pp. 2–3, Council File 90-2377, Part 2, Box C2454, Los Angeles City Council File [LACCF]: City Archives of Los Angeles.

13. From Hatanaka to Jauck, 24 June1996, Folder, Miscikowski Leaf Blower 1998–1999, Los Angeles City Councilwoman Miscikowski File, City of Los Angeles.

14. ‘City Hall news from Councilman Braude’, 15 August 1995, p. 1, Council File 90-2377, Part 2, Box C2454, LACCF.

15. Motion by Braude, 15 August 1995, Council File 90-2377, Part 1, Box C2454, LACCF.

16. ‘Communication from Braude to the City Council’, 9 May 1996, Council File 90-2377, Part 2, Box C2454, LACCF.

17. Speaker Card, 22 April 1996 and Speaker Card, 14 May 1996, Council File 90-2377, Part 1, Box C2454, LACCF.

18. City Council Vote, Agenda No. 51, 14 May 1996, Council File 90-2377, Part 2, Box C2454, LACCF.

19. City Council Vote, Agenda No. 9, 12 November 1996, Council File 90-2377, Part 2, Box C2454, LACCF.

20. City Council Vote, Agenda No. 7, 3 December 1996, Council File 90-2377, Part 2, Box C2454, LACCF.

21. ‘Ordinance No. 171440’, 12 December 1996, Council File 90-2377, Part 2, Box 2454, LACCF.

22. ‘Leaf blower ordinance fact sheet’, Folder, Leaf Blower 1996-1997, Los Angeles City Councilman Braude File, Box D1168, City Archives of Los Angeles.

23. City Council Vote, Agenda No. 15A, 16 July 1997, Council File 90-2377, Part 3, Box C2454, LACCF.

24. From Buskirk to Pritsker, 16 December 1997, Folder, Leaf Blow Lawsuit, Miscikowki File, City Archives of Los Angeles.

25. ‘Environmental quality and waste management committee report’, 11 December 1997, Council File 90-2377-S1, Box C2454, LACCF.

26. City Council Vote, Agenda 19, 6 January 1998, Council File 90-2377-S1, Box C2454, LACCF.

27. At the time of this writing, the ordinance banning gas-powered leaf blowers was still in effect.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ronald Tadao Tsukashima

RONALD TADAO TSUKASHIMA is Professor of Sociology at California State University at Los Angeles.