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

Maura McAdam, Richard T. Harrison () and Claire M. Leitch
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Maura McAdam: Dublin City University
Richard T. Harrison: University of Edinburgh Business School
Claire M. Leitch: Lancaster University Management School, Lancaster University

Small Business Economics, 2019, vol. 53, issue 2, No 10, 459-474

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: Entrepreneurial ecosystems; Networks; Bourdieu; Habitus; Field; Gender capital; Women entrepreneurs (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: B54 J16 L26 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (13)

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DOI: 10.1007/s11187-018-9995-6

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