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Women Enterprises, Relational Capital and Corporate Strategy: A Multiple Case Study

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Advances in Gender and Cultural Research in Business and Economics (IPAZIA 2018)

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Abstract

This paper aims at analysing how relational capital (RC) contributes to the born of women enterprises in Italian small and medium enterprises (SMEs). In this way, this research is supported by a qualitative research methodology using a multiple case study (Yin 2009) comparing a small female enterprise and a small man enterprise to point out their characteristics and differences. Thus, the paper applies the CAOS model of micro-entrepreneurship by Paoloni (2011). Using such model, we’re able to share some factors and to classify different types of connections, identifying several kinds of existing relations. Findings show a predominant use of networks characterized by informal and permanent relations, supporting the need to reconcile work and family and to involve relatives and friends in the network. As such results are confirmed in female and male enterprises, we assume that dimensions is a dominant factor instead of gender factor. Additionally, we emphasize the lack of a corporate strategy in the female enterprises. Lastly, given that female entrepreneurship is regarded as central to the development and welfare of economies, the deepening of knowledge of how women entrepreneurs manage the start-up of her business can contribute in improving the participation of female entrepreneurs in the economy.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department Law and Economics of Productive Activities, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy

    Paola Paoloni

  2. Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy

    Rosa Lombardi

  3. Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy

    Paoloni Niccolò

Authors
  1. Paola Paoloni
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  2. Rosa Lombardi
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  3. Paoloni Niccolò
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rosa Lombardi .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department Law and Economics of Productive Activities, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy

    Paola Paoloni

  2. Department Law and Economics of Productive Activities, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy

    Rosa Lombardi

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Paoloni, P., Lombardi, R., Niccolò, P. (2019). Women Enterprises, Relational Capital and Corporate Strategy: A Multiple Case Study. In: Paoloni, P., Lombardi, R. (eds) Advances in Gender and Cultural Research in Business and Economics. IPAZIA 2018. Springer Proceedings in Business and Economics. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-00335-7_14

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