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

McAdam, Maura and Harrison, Richard and Leitch, Claire Marie (2019) Stories from the field : women’s networking as gender capital in entrepreneurial ecosystems. Small Business Economics, 53 (2). 459–474. ISSN 0921-898X

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Abstract

Women are underrepresented 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.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Small Business Economics
Additional Information:
The final publication is available at Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11187-018-9995-6
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/1400/1400
Subjects:
?? entrepreneurial ecosystemsnetworksbourdieuhabitusfieldgender capitalwomen entrepreneursgeneral business,management and accountingeconomics and econometricsbusiness, management and accounting(all) ??
ID Code:
87945
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
06 Oct 2017 19:35
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
26 Sep 2024 00:47