Female Entrepreneurial Networks and Networking Activity in Technology-based Ventures

Abstract

The ability to develop and manage effective networks is a crucial entrepreneurial competence for venture establishment and growth. Relatively little attention has been paid to the network development and networking activities of female entrepreneurs in general, and even less to such activities in technology-based ventures. The limited existing evidence suggests that female entrepreneurs may develop different approaches to network development and participation to that of their male counterparts. This paper presents findings from exploratory, qualitative research conducted in Northern Ireland, which focused on the nature and dynamics of female entrepreneurial networks in traditionally male-dominated science, engineering and technology-based ventures. Drawing upon information-rich evidence from 18 in-depth interviews with the lead female entrepreneurs of technology-based ventures, insights are presented into the nature and dynamics of female entrepreneurial networks and networking at different stages of the business lifecycle.

Discourses of entrepreneurial leadership: Exposing myths and exploring new approaches

“…Both mainstream literature and the reported practice of entrepreneurial leadership have consistently failed to question its gendered nature (Hamilton, 2006;Marlow et al, 2009;Patterson and Mavin, 2009). It is the masculine voice that governs entrepreneurial discourse and exchange, the worlds of business and the economy (Burrell, 1992;Hampton et al, 2009;Harding, 2003).…”

Entrepreneurial Activities in Europe - Expanding Networks for Inclusive Entrepreneurship

“…Women's entrepreneurial networks appear more likely to include educators rather than business services providers or entrepreneurs (Ernst and Young, 2013). Moreover, women entrepreneurs appear more likely than men to develop informal, affective and strong-tie networks, whereas men tend to favour formal, calculative/instrumental, and weak-tie networks (Hampton et al, 2009).…”

“…There is long-standing evidence that female entrepreneurs tend to have entrepreneurial networks that are more limited in size and diversity than male entrepreneurs (Carter et al, 2001;Drakopoulou Dodd and Keles, 2014;Hampton et al, 2009;Storey 1994). Furthermore, women are less likely to be able to draw on relevant social capital from previous work experiences (Metcalfe, 1998;Kellard et al, 2002).…”

“…A study in Northern Ireland that interviewed women entrepreneurs found that among the reasons why women are less likely to participate in entrepreneurial networks is a lack of self-confidence and anxiety about discrimination by others in the network (Hampton et al, 2009).…”

Public narratives of female entrepreneurship: fairy tale or fact?

“…A number of dimensions of the female experience have emphasised the collectivity of a gendered enactment of entrepreneurship, for example, that women as a group have different business assistance (Stanger 2004) and training and development needs (Tynan et al 2009) and that programmes and initiatives designed specifically for female entrepreneurs would have greater uptake and stronger, more sustainable outcomes (Pernilla 1997). Another collective emphasis is the way in which women draw on networks of other women (across the labour market spectrum) to inform their practice and actively seek out and participate in entrepreneurial networks founded on a gendered rationale (Hampton et al 2009). …”