EMBEDDEDNESS AND IMMIGRATION - NOTES ON THE SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF ECONOMIC-ACTION

This article contributes to the reemerging field of economic sociology by (1) delving into its classic roots to refine current concepts and (2) using examples from the immigration literature to explore the diff erent forms in which social structures affect economic action. The con cept of social ''embeddedness'' provides a suitable theoretical umbrel la, although in analyzing its specific manifestations, the article foc uses on the concept of social capital. The various mechanisms through which social structures affect economic action are identified and cate gorized and their consequences, positive and negative, highlighted. Th e propositions that summarize the different parts of the discussion at tempt to move these concepts beyond sensitizing generalities to hypoth esis-like statements that can guide future research.