The Chinese in Silicon Valley: Globalization, Social Networks, and Ethnic Identity
Author(s): Bernard P. Wong (Author)
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers (UK)
Publication Date: 28 Nov. 2005
Language: English
Print length: 288 pages
ISBN-10: 0742539393
ISBN-13: 9780742539396
Book Description
The 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 entrepreneurship in Silicon Valley. Secondary statistical data combined with primary personal interview data makes this a detailed and interesting study of globalization, social networks, and ethnic identity.
Editorial Reviews
Review
A 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.
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.
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
About the Author
Bernard P. Wong is professor of anthropology at San Francisco State University.
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