Description
Book SynopsisSince the beginning of Korean migration to Argentina in the 1960s, Korean immigrants in Argentina have massively been involved in the garment industry. Nevertheless, despite the decades-long concentration of Korean Argentines in the same sector, the motivations behind their involvement and the types and styles of their businesses have been reshaped over time through the twists and turns of the host country's junctures.
Applying rigorous immigrant entrepreneurship theories, yet wary of orthodoxies, Kim examines the intriguing paths which Korean entrepreneurs have taken to develop their businesses in the Argentine garment industry amidst complex, frantically volatile social and economic circumstances, and argues for the application of a new approach that combines existing theories with historically contextual perspectives.
Unlike those of their North American counterparts, the history, settlement, and current status of Korean immigrants in Latin America have been notoriou
Trade Review
"Not only does Jihye’s book present the first in-depth study on the history, growth, and challenges of Korean entrepreneurship in the Argentine garment industry, it also offers a testament to the appropriateness and practicality of some important theories and concepts in international migration studies, such as social capital or embeddedness, ethnic and class resources, a host country’s economic policies and labor market structure, and so on. From Sweatshop to Fashion Shop will be valuable to all academics in Migration/Diaspora Studies, Latin American Studies, Korean Studies, and Asian Studies.”
-- Joong-Hwan Oh
"From Sweatshop to Fashion Shop: Korean Immigrant Entrepreneurship in the Argentine Garment Industry is a timely contribution to the scant literature on Korean immigration to South America. Through an in-depth examination of Korean immigrants in the garment industry in Argentina, the book offers a compelling account of the vital ethnic niche carved out by Korean Argentinians and their rapid ascent from sweatshops to wholesalers and retailers. This book is a must read for those interested in Asian immigration to Latin America and cross-national studies of the rag trade and immigrant entrepreneurship."
-- Dae Young Kim, George Mason University
Table of Contents1. To the Farthest Country: When and Why Koreans Moved to Argentina
2. The Host Country: Argentina
3. From Agriculture to Apparel: The Entry of Koreans into the Argentine Garment Industry (1960s-1970s)
4. From Production to Distribution: Expansion of the Korean Garment Business (1980s-1990s)
5. The Korean Garment Business in Argentina Today (2000-Present)
6. Opportunities and Challenges for the Korean Garment Business
