Employers from outside the European Community in Almería: opportunity structures, group characteristics and ethnic strategies

Abstract

This work is based on analyzing the origin, characteristics and resource mobilization of ethnic employers in Almería. In order to do this, we use the interactive model of ethnic business development devised by Waldinger, Aldrich and Ward (1990). This model combines two important analysis elements: opportunity structures and group characteristics. A series of ethnic strategies that enable the businessman to keep his business open and defend himself against external attack —blocked mobility, government policies, customers, etc.— emerge from the combination of these factors in a highly competitive labour market where very small
businesses have a much reduced profit margin.