Title: A sub-economy in Montreal

Authors: Morton Weinfeld

Addresses: McGill University, Canada

Abstract: This paper explores the size and socio-demographic characteristics of a Jewish sub-economy found in Montreal in the late 1970s and 1980s, along with other features of Jewish economic activity in Canadian cities. It is found that there is a much higher than expected degree of intra-group economic activity found linking Jewish entrepreneurs, employers, workers, suppliers, and customers. This activity can not readily be explained by factors like recent immigration, socio-economic gains, religiosity, or fear of discrimination. It is suggested that factors like inertia, pre-existing networks, and cultural preferences may play a role.

Keywords: Jewish sub-economy; Montreal; Canada; ethnic economies; Jews; intra-ethnic business; globalisation; entrepreneurship; inertia; pre-existing networks; culture; ethnic enclaves.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBG.2007.013718

International Journal of Business and Globalisation, 2007 Vol.1 No.1, pp.34 - 50

Published online: 22 May 2007 *

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