Past studies have corroborated the hypothesis asserting that family ties and co-ethnic bonds are instrumental in the growth of ethnic enterprise. Many of these studies, however, can be challenged on methodological grounds. This article uses data from two samples of Cuban exiles to test the hypothesis in a manner which addresses the challenges. Results offer minor support for the hypothesis. Because our test has dealt with methodological uncertainties that previous research overlooked, the negative nature of our results raises questions about the explanatory power of the family ties/co-ethnic bond hypothesis.
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