Standing on the shoulders of giantesses: how women technology founders use single and mixed gender networks for success and change
International Journal of Gender and Entrepreneurship
ISSN: 1756-6266
Article publication date: 12 August 2021
Issue publication date: 27 October 2021
Abstract
Purpose
Building on research about entrepreneurship and social capital, the purpose of this paper is to explore how women founders of technology-based ventures in Canada access and use formal external entrepreneurial networks to build their companies.
Design/methodology/approach
The study draws on 25 semi-structured interviews with women founders of technology firms and leaders of formal networks.
Findings
The authors demonstrate the positive impact of women only networks (WON) for founders including increasing entrepreneurial diversity, access to financing, and founder credibility and sponsorship. The authors show how women founders use mixed gender and WON to build their businesses and conclude that membership in WON can be a vital step.
Research limitations/implications
The sample size is small and most participants reside in highly urban areas, which may limit generalizability. Findings may not generalize beyond Canada due to cultural and structural differences.
Practical implications
The research suggests that external WON should be encouraged as important resources for founder identity work which may enable positive change.
Social implications
This research can assist in designing initiatives that support women entrepreneurs and promote gender parity.
Originality/value
The authors draw on research in women's leadership development to explain how WONs for entrepreneurs help founders create overlapping strategic networks – a unique form of social capital – and serve as identity workspaces for the identity work women founders must complete. The authors argue that the identity work in WONs can be a mechanism by which gender structures are challenged and eventually changed.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to sincerely thank everyone at Laurier’s EMTM program including Dr. Hamid Noori, Jennifer Adamthwaite, and Dr. Sarah Wilner, all our supportive friends and family, and all our fearless women participants.
Citation
Woodwark, M., Wood, A. and Schnarr, K. (2021), "Standing on the shoulders of giantesses: how women technology founders use single and mixed gender networks for success and change", International Journal of Gender and Entrepreneurship, Vol. 13 No. 4, pp. 420-448. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJGE-10-2020-0159
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited