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Women and power: a theoretical approach using the example of copreneurial businesses

Author

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  • Gérard Hirigoyen

    (IRGO - Institut de Recherche en Gestion des Organisations - UB - Université de Bordeaux - Institut d'Administration des Entreprises (IAE) - Bordeaux)

  • Amélie Villéger

    (IRGO - Institut de Recherche en Gestion des Organisations - UB - Université de Bordeaux - Institut d'Administration des Entreprises (IAE) - Bordeaux)

Abstract

Despite the gradual recognition of strategic issues related to the integration of women into the economy, female entrepreneurship continues to receive little attention. Family business research attributes this situation to a lack of recognition given to the (decisive) role of women in these organizations. However, there is one type of family gov-ernance that formally acknowledges the man/woman combination: the copreneurial company. Copreneurs are couples who run a business together. This theoretical article highlights the role of women in the copreneurial context by distinguishing between formal and informal power-the latter being primarily held by women, but which is no less influential. The distribution of power reduces opposition costs between partners and the social costs of non-compliance, and improves the clarity of the entrepreneurial structure. Moreover, it increases satisfaction and a feeling of equality between the partners. These results can be generalized and shed light on the role of women in other entrepreneurial and social contexts. This article is published as part as part of a collection on the role of women in management and business.

Suggested Citation

  • Gérard Hirigoyen & Amélie Villéger, 2017. "Women and power: a theoretical approach using the example of copreneurial businesses," Post-Print hal-02118625, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-02118625
    DOI: 10.1057/palcomms.2016.100
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.science/hal-02118625v1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Shanzhong Du, 2025. "Marital Role Reversal and Family Business Philanthropy: Evidence From China," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 65(4), pages 4086-4110, December.
    2. Sverker Sikström & Laura Mai Stoinski & Kristina Karlsson & Lotta Stille & Johan Willander, 2020. "Weighting power by preference eliminates gender differences," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(11), pages 1-19, November.
    3. Kanaya Mahanti & Nitesh Bhatia & Sudhir Rana, 2025. "Redefining copreneurs: a four decadal review adopting computer aided text analysis," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 21(1), pages 1-40, December.
    4. Yoon G. Lee & Heather H. Kelley & Renee Wiatt & Maria I. Marshall, 2024. "Work-Family Balance and Perceived Business Outcomes among Copreneurial and Noncopreneurial Small Business Owners," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 45(1), pages 200-211, March.

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