According to a recent study by UC Irvine sociology graduate student Jody Agius Vallejo, ethnic professional associations play a major role in Latina business women's ability to succeed in the Orange County corporate culture.  

Findings are based on a three year study including more than 80 interviews with women who belong to several local Latina business associations.  

"Previous research says that Latina communities are void of ethnic associations and other professional organizations that are important for developing social capital in the business world," says Agius Vallejo.  

She disagrees, saying that although the groups may be slow to start as they often take one or two extra generations to mobilize, a number of organizations do in fact exist within the OC Latina community and play a critical role providing "ethnic capital" to women through assistance starting businesses and socializing with other successful Latinas.  

"These types of organizations and associations provide Latinas an opportunity to develop skills that aren't learned in a classroom - like business etiquette and socializing through golf - but are very important in the corporate culture of our area," she says.  

She adds that Latinas who utilize such resources and "make it big" also give back through continued association membership and mentorship.  

Agius Vallejo's study was selected as the Best Graduate Student Paper by the American Sociological Association's (ASA) International Migration Section who noted: "Her cutting-edge theoretical framework, data analysis, and writing assure that this article will make an important contribution to the literature." It was also recently accepted for publication in the association's

City & Community

journal.  

She will present her work at ASA's annual meeting in Boston on August 4.