Description
Book SynopsisThe Chinese in Silicon Valley examines the complex and ever-growing role of Chinese American scientists and engineers in Silicon Valley. Globalization brings workers from many different countries and cultures together, impacting more than just their work environments. The Chinese who settle in Silicon Valley must learn to prosper despite changes in cultural identity, family life, and often citizenship. They learn how to utilize new social networks and make sense of a shifting ethnic identity. The Chinese community in Silicon Valley is being developed with the advantages and constraints of many factors: the new global economy, technology, the Chinese immigrants'' traditional culture, and the American host culture. Bernard Wong shows that the formation of Chinese American ethnic identity and community is a result of this globalization and transnationalism. This informative book presents important new knowledge on the connection between Chinese ethnicity and highly-skilled labor and en
Trade ReviewA landmark study of the life and work of the Chinese in the high-tech community of America. Students and scholars from a variety of disciplines will benefit from Dr. Wong's keen observations and insightful analyses in this thoroughly researched ethnography. This case study offers a comprehensive treatment of important topics such as race relations, social mobility, migration, assimilation, globalization, and work and occupations. -- Joyce Tang, Queens College of the City University of New York
This book explores the social reality behind the hype and headlines of Silicon Valley. It is a must-read for anyone interested in globalization, migration, and diaspora formation. Wong's study is an excellent example of how ethnography can adapt to twenty-first century conditions. -- James L. Watson, Harvard University, Professor Emeritus, Harvard University
Wong's book is an excellent example of how ethnographic techniques and analyses can be applied to contemporary problems and populations. Furthermore, it is rather unique in its findings regarding globalization's effect on culture and social ties. * Anthropological Quarterly *
After five years of ethnographic research, Wong has produced a rich and thorough ethnography that details emergent forms of social networks, strategies of ethnic entrepreneurship, changes in community and family formation, and ethnic identity….A welcome addition to globalization and Chinese diaspora studies. * American Ethnologist *
Bernard Wong has drawn on more than thirty-five years of research experience with overseas Chinese communities on three continents to produce this work about globalization, migration, and ethnicity in one of the world's economic and intellectual hot spots, Silicon Valley. A timely and provocative book. -- Herbert S. Lewis, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Table of ContentsChapter 1 The Asian Century and the Rise of Globalization and Transnationalism Chapter 2 The Nature of the Chinese in Silicon Valley: An Ethnic Community of High-Tech Chapter 3 Globalization and Social Networks in the Silicon Valley Chinese Community Chapter 4 Establishing Roots in America Chapter 5 Globalization and Social Differences in the Community Chapter 6 The Social Costs and Benefits of Globalization: Family Life and Social Adjustments Chapter 7 Globalization and Ethnic Identity: How Does Globalization Affect the Identity of the Chinese in Silicon Valley? Chapter 8 Conclusions: Globalization, Citizenship, Social Networks, and Identity
