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Stories from the field: women’s networking as gender capital in entrepreneurial ecosystems

Author

Listed:
  • Maura McAdam

    (Dublin City University)

  • Richard T. Harrison

    (University of Edinburgh Business School)

  • Claire M. Leitch

    (Lancaster University Management School, Lancaster University)

Abstract

Women are under-represented in successful entrepreneurial ecosystems and the creation of women-only entrepreneurial networks has been a widespread policy response. We examine the entrepreneurial ecosystem construct and suggest that it, and the role networks play in entrepreneurial ecosystems, can be analysed in terms of Bourdieu’s socio-analysis as field, habitus and capital. Specifically, we develop the notion of gender capital as the skill set associated with femininity or from simply being recognized as feminine. We apply this to the development of women’s entrepreneurial networks as a gender capital enhancing initiative. Using data from qualitative interviews with network coordinators and women entrepreneurs, we reflect on the extent to which formally established women-only networks generate gender capital for their members and improve their ability to participate in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. The paper concludes by drawing out the implications of our analysis for theory, entrepreneurial practice and economic development policy.

Suggested Citation

  • Maura McAdam & Richard T. Harrison & Claire M. Leitch, 2019. "Stories from the field: women’s networking as gender capital in entrepreneurial ecosystems," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 53(2), pages 459-474, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:sbusec:v:53:y:2019:i:2:d:10.1007_s11187-018-9995-6
    DOI: 10.1007/s11187-018-9995-6
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Lin Xiu & Morley Gunderson, 2021. "Does an Entrepreneurial Career Pay for Women in China?," British Journal of Industrial Relations, London School of Economics, vol. 59(1), pages 167-190, March.
    2. Qiu, Yixin & Bouncken, Ricarda B. & Arndt, Félix & Ng, Wilson, 2023. "Microfoundations and dynamics of do-it-yourself ecosystems," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 193(C).
    3. Elias Hadjielias & Michael Christofi & Shlomo Tarba, 2022. "Contextualizing small business resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic: evidence from small business owner-managers," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 59(4), pages 1351-1380, December.
    4. Ahmad Alaassar & Anne-Laure Mention & Tor Helge Aas, 2022. "Ecosystem dynamics: exploring the interplay within fintech entrepreneurial ecosystems," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 58(4), pages 2157-2182, April.
    5. Kelly, Dr Gráinne & McAdam, Maura, 2022. "Scaffolding liminality: The lived experience of women entrepreneurs in digital spaces," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).
    6. Wang, Wei & Liang, Qiaozhuan & Mahto, Raj V. & Deng, Wei & Zhang, Stephen X., 2020. "Entrepreneurial entry: The role of social media," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
    7. Quoc Hoang Thai & Khuong Ngoc Mai & Tung Thanh Do, 2023. "An Evolution of Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Studies: A Systematic Literature Review and Future Research Agenda," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(1), pages 21582440231, March.
    8. Hadjielias, Elias & Christofi, Michael & Christou, Prokopis & Hadjielia Drotarova, Maria, 2022. "Digitalization, agility, and customer value in tourism," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 175(C).
    9. Christou, Prokopis & Hadjielias, Elias & Simillidou, Aspasia & Kvasova, Olga, 2023. "The use of intelligent automation as a form of digital transformation in tourism: Towards a hybrid experiential offering," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 155(PB).
    10. Avnimelech, Gil & Rechter, Eyal, 2023. "How and why accelerators enhance female entrepreneurship," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 52(2).
    11. Hayfaa A. Tlaiss & Maura McAdam, 2021. "Unexpected Lives: The Intersection of Islam and Arab Women’s Entrepreneurship," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 171(2), pages 253-272, June.
    12. Franczak, Jennifer & Lanivich, Stephen E. & Adomako, Samuel, 2023. "Filling institutional voids: Combinative effects of institutional shortcomings and gender on the alertness – Opportunity recognition relationship," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 155(PB).
    13. Birdthistle, Naomi & Eversole, Robyn & Walo, Megerssa, 2022. "Creating an inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem for women entrepreneurs in a rural region," Journal of Business Venturing Insights, Elsevier, vol. 18(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Entrepreneurial ecosystems; Networks; Bourdieu; Habitus; Field; Gender capital; Women entrepreneurs;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L26 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Entrepreneurship
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • B54 - Schools of Economic Thought and Methodology - - Current Heterodox Approaches - - - Feminist Economics

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