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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 article 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 life cycle.

Les réseaux d'entreprise féminins et l'activité de networking dans les entreprises à vocation technologique Une étude préliminaire Alison Hampton Université d'Ulster, R.-U. Sarah Cooper Université d'Édimbourg, R.-U. Pauric McGowan Université d'Ulster, R.-U. La capacité de développer et de gérer des réseaux efficaces est une compétence entrepreneuriale capitale du point de vue création et essor des entreprises. Dans l'ensemble, très peu d'importance a été accordé aux activités de développement de réseaux et de networking des femmes chefs d'entreprise, et encore moins en ce qui concerne ces activités dans les entreprises à vocation technologique. Les rares indices, dont nous disposons, suggèrent que les chefs d'entreprise féminins peuvent avoir une optique des aspects développement et participation différente de celle de leurs homologues masculins. Cet article présente les constatations découlant d'une étude qualitative préliminaire, conduite en Irlande du Nord, et axée sur la nature et la dynamique des réseaux de chefs d'entreprise féminins dans le cas d'entreprises basées sur des domaines tels que les sciences, l'ingénierie et la technologie que domine la gente masculine. Nous appuyant sur des informations richement documentées, recueillies à l'occasion de 18 entrevues avec d'éminents entrepreneurs féminins, dirigeant des entreprises à vocation technologique, nous donnons un aperçu de la nature et de la dynamique qui animent les réseaux et le networking de chefs d'entreprise féminins à différentes étapes du cycle conjoncturel.

Las redes empresariales de las mujeres y actividades de conexión mediante redes en las empresas tecnológicas Un estudio preliminar Alison Hampton Universidad de Ulster, RU Sarah Cooper Universidad de Edimburgo, RU Pauric McGowan Universidad de Ulster, RU La capacidad de desarrollar y gestionar redes eficaces es una competencia empresarial de crucial importancia en la creación y crecimiento de las empresas. Se ha prestado relativamente poca atención al desarrollo de las redes y actividades de conexión mediante redes de las emprendedoras en general, y menos todavía a tales actividades en las empresas tecnológicas. Los pocos indicios disponibles sugieren que las emprendedoras pueden enfocar la participación y desarrollo de las redes desde otro punto de vista que sus homólogos varones. Este articulo presenta los resultados de una investigación cualitativa preliminar realizada en Irlanda del Norte, centrada en la naturaleza y dinámica de las redes de emprendedoras en las empresas basadas en la ciencia, ingeniería y tecnología tradicionalmente dominadas por los hombres. Basándose en el informe muy bien documentado de 18 entrevistas en profundidad con las emprendedoras puntero de empresas tecnológicas, se presentan las nuevas percepciones adquiridas de la naturaleza y dinámica de las redes empresariales de las mujeres en distintas fases del ciclo económico.

Unternehmernetzwerke für Frauen und Netzwerkaktivitäten in technologiebasierten Unternehmen Eine Forschungsstudie Alison Hampton Universität Ulster, Groβbritannien Sarah Cooper Universität Edinburgh, Groβbritannien Pauric McGowan Universität Ulster, Groβbritannien Die Entwicklung und Verwaltung von effektiven Netzwerken ist eine wichtige unternehmerische Fähigkeit, die zum Unternehmensaufbau und — wachstum beiträgt. Die Netzwerkentwicklung und Netzwerkaktivitäten von Frauen allgemein hat bisher wenig Beachtung gefunden, und besonders wenig Beachtung wurde solchen Aktivitäten in technologie-basierten Unternehmen geschenkt. Die wenigen existierenden Beweise zeigen, dass Unternehmerinnen andere Herangehensweisen für die Netzwerkentwicklung und — teilnahme entwickeln als ihre männlichen Kollegen. Dieser Artikel präsentiert Ergebnisse aus qualitativen Forschungsstudien aus Nordirland, die sich auf die Charakteristiken und Dynamik von Frauen-Netzwerken in traditionellen männerdominierten Unternehmen in den Bereichen Wissenschaft, Ingenieurwesen und Technologie konzentrierten. Unter Zuhilfenahme von 18 informationsreichen Tiefeninterviews mit den führenden Unternehmerinnen in technologiebasierten Firmen werden Erkenntnisse über die Charaktereigenschaften und Dynamik von Frauen-Netzwerken und über die verschiedenen Arten des Netzwerkens in verschiedenen Stadien des unternehmerischen Lebenszyklus präsentiert.

Keywords

entrepreneurial networks female entrepreneurs new-technology ventures new venture creation

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Female Entrepreneurial Networks and Networking Activity in Technology-based Ventures

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