Scully, Judith Wendy (1994) The Irish diaspora as bar entrepreneurs : a comparative study between Birmingham (UK) and Chicago (US). PhD thesis, University of Warwick.

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Abstract

This research seeks to establish the Irish migrant experience within extant sociological
theories of ethnic entrepreneurship. The comparative study highlights the interface
between the Irish migration experience and bar entrepreneurship within Birmingham
(UK) and Chicago (US). Three interrelated primary aims characterise the research.
Firstly, to explain why the Irish diaspora is excluded from ethnic entrepreneurship
debates and to show where their experience as bar entrepreneurs 'fits' within the
established literature. Secondly, to argue that the 'racist' stereotype of the Irish and
drink as synonymous impacts upon the Irish migrant bar proprietor in the sense that the
niche is perceived as a 'natural' form of economic activity. Thirdly, to show how
opportunities for economic upward mobility within the niche are greater for the Irish in
Chicago compared to Birmingham. A theory of ethnic entrepreneurship, termed the
`interactive'model, serves as a conceptual framework for addressing the primary aims.
The methodology includes cross -national qualitative field work. During the research
process 42 semi-structured interviews were conducted in Irish run bars, of which 21
are in Chicago and 21 in Birmingham. To preserve the anonymity of the respondents
none of the respondents are mentioned by name or establishment.
A number of conclusions are presented below with regard to the original aims: (1) the
ethnic entrepreneurship theories commenced from a narrowly defined framework which
excluded the form of self employment in which the Irish are overrepresented; (2) an
explanation of why the Irish remain ghettoised in particular jobs requires an
understanding of their migration tradition; (3) the niche of bar proprietor is perceived
as a 'natural' form of self employment because of the 'racist' stereotype of the Irish
and drink as synonymous; (4) the stereotype has not prevented the Irish from achieving
economic success within the US; (5) during the time this research was operationalised
bar entrepreneurship did not afford a greater opportunity for upward mobility in
Chicago compared to Birmingham; (6) the bar business is a vulnerable labour intensive
form of economic activity which occupies a subordinate relationship with the state and
larger capitals; (7) the economic strategy of constructing a 'stage Irish identity' within
a bar links to the `racist'stereotype that bars are the 'natural' habitat of the Irish.

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HF Commerce T Technology > TX Home economics
Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH):	Irish -- England -- Birmingham, Irish -- Illinois -- Chicago, Entrepreneurship, Bars (Drinking establishments) -- England -- Birmingham, Bars (Drinking establishments) -- Illinois -- Chicago
Official Date:	September 1994
Dates:	Date Event September 1994 Submitted
Institution:	University of Warwick
Theses Department:	Department of Sociology
Thesis Type:	PhD
Publication Status:	Unpublished
Supervisor(s)/Advisor:	Phizacklea, Annie
Extent:	ix, 353 leaves
Language:	eng

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