Public Support and Inter-firm Collaborations in Women-Owned Firms

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Ana Maria Bojica
Maria del Mar Fuentes Fuentes
Carlos Albacete Sáez

Abstract

This study goes beyond the descriptive analyses of women entrepreneur’s networks, and advances the idea of interdependency between the different types of relationships they build. It emphasizes that developing ties with support institutions can reinforce and legitimate them in the interactions with peers organisations.  The results of the research on a sample of Spanish women-owned business reveal that as the level of support obtained through the relationships with public entities increases, the average social interaction with clients and collaborators and the quality of relationships with collaborators increases. Further, we suggest that purposeful management of inter-organisational relationships can represent a valid instrument for overcoming lack of legitimacy and gender barriers.

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