Women SME owner/managers, opportunity recognition and government-sponsored business networks

Rodney Farr-Wharton; Yvonne Brunetto

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Women SME owner/managers, opportunity recognition and government-sponsored business networks

Conference paper

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Women SME owner/managers, opportunity recognition and government-sponsored business networks

Rodney Farr-Wharton and Yvonne Brunetto

Proceedings of the 2006 British Academy of Management Conference, p.104

British Academy of Management (BAM) Annual Conference, 2006 (Belfast, Ireland, 12-Sep-2006–21-Sep-2006)

British Academy of Management

2006

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Abstract

Business and Management

SMEs

business opportunities and networks

opportunity recognition

government business development officers

This paper examined the benefits of belonging to business networks for women SME owners/managers and the effectiveness of government business development officers in supporting women SME owner/managers that belong to business networks. The findings suggest that approximately 20% of the reasons why women SME owner/managers belong to business networks can be explained by the findings from past research identifying the important functions of opportunity recognition and collective learning. The findings contribute to the literature about the "intentions" part of Forbes (1999) cognitive model of opportunity recognition for women SME owner/managers. However, this suggests that almost 80% as to why women SME owner/managers belong to business networks cannot be explained using the stated literature. The finding highlights the lack of understanding about the nature and dynamics of being a SME within a business network particularly those owned or managed by women. It also may explain the difference between a "social network" or "industry-formed business network or cluster" on the one hand and a "politically constructed business network" comprising members that belong to an established social network and those invited to attend by government/clustering agents. More qualitative research is required to better understand the relationship between women SMEs owner/managers and opportunity recognition within business networks.

Details

Title: Women SME owner/managers, opportunity recognition and government-sponsored business networks
Authors: Rodney Farr-Wharton (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Business
Yvonne Brunetto (Author) - Griffith University
Contributors: Clare Saunders (Editor)
Publication details: Proceedings of the 2006 British Academy of Management Conference, p.104
Conference details: British Academy of Management (BAM) Annual Conference, 2006 (Belfast, Ireland, 12-Sep-2006–21-Sep-2006)
Publisher: British Academy of Management
Date published: 2006
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; USC Business School - Legacy
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99449448502621
Output Type: Conference paper

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