The diverse nature of the mexican northern border: the case of urban employment

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Published: Aug 17, 2017
DOI: https://doi.org/10.17428/rfn.v5i9.1566

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Harley Browning
University of Texas
René M. Zenteno
El Colegio de la Frontera Norte

Abstract

Un elemento importante en la formación del carácter único y especial de la frontera mexicana ha sido la inserción de la maquiladora de exportación en el mercado de trabajo regional. Su papel ha cobrado importancia en relación al carácter internacional del proceso maquilador, y los efectos sobre la participación económica de mujeres jóvenes. Sin embargo, el énfasis que se ha dado al estudio de las maquiladoras no ha venido acompañado por un esfuerzo comparativo con sectores no maquiladores, así es que un entendimiento comprensivo de la estructura de oportunidades en el empleo fronterizo todavía no se realiza. Este escrito intenta presentar una visión comprensiva de los mercados de trabajo fronterizos, enfatizando la participación total de la población económicamente activa. Aceptando la pluralidad fronteriza, los autores exploran la diversidad y heterogeneidad de la región, describiendo y comparando las características del empleo en cuatro centros poblacionales de la frontera norte mexicana: Tijuana, Ciudad Juárez, Nuevo Laredo, y Matamoros.ABSTRACTOne sector of the labor market has contributed significantly to the unique development of Mexico's northern border: this sector is the maquiladora export industry. The maquiladoras' role becomes important due to the international character of these enterprises, as well as its particular repercussions in raising the economic participation of young women. However, the emphasis on the study of the maquiladoras has not been coupled with efforts to understand the employment characteristics of the non-maquiladora sectors. A comprehensive understanding of the work opportunity structures along the border thus has not yet been attained. This paper encourages a more satisfactory vision of the border labor markets by emphasizing the total labor participation. The article acknowledges the plurality of the border and therefore explores diversity and heterogeneity along the area. We do this by characterizing and comparing employment characteristics of four major populations on the Mexican northern border: Tijuana. Ciudad Juárez, Nuevo Laredo and Matamoros.

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How to Cite
Browning, H., & Zenteno, R. M. (2017). The diverse nature of the mexican northern border: the case of urban employment. Frontera Norte, 5(9), 11–31. https://doi.org/10.17428/rfn.v5i9.1566
Issue
Vol. 5 No. 9 (1993): enero-junio 1993
Section
Papers

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Author Biography

Harley Browning, University of Texas

  

References

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