Using a multiple method and mixed mode approach to examine women entrepreneur negotiating styles

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ethné Swartz ◽  
Frances M. Amatucci ◽  
Susan Coleman
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Research Design ◽  
Women Entrepreneurs ◽  
Mixed Mode ◽  
Private Equity ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Women Business Owners ◽  
Research On Research

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to explore an optimal research design for research on women entrepreneurs involved in negotiating term sheets for private equity capital. This research explores new ways for researchers to connect with such current “invisibles” through the use of a mixed method and mixed mode research design to expand sampling options and secure respondent participation. The authors discuss existing data sets that have been used as secondary sources for data on financing of companies and consider their inadequacy for research questions about process issues in negotiation. The authors present process-related findings regarding the efficacy of the research design. Design/methodology/approach – This paper reviews research on research methodology, incorporating a discussion of practices outside of the entrepreneurship discipline to discover effective practices for identifying respondents and data not currently captured in entrepreneurship data sources. The respondents were found through social media sites, angel networks, University networks and via identification through a proprietary financial intelligence database. Findings – An optimal research design to identify women business owners of growth-oriented firms who have negotiated private equity should consider mixed methods designs and mixed modes, including the use of digital networks that signal to potential respondents that research is being done. Research limitations/implications – Although the authors developed the multi-method, mixed mode (MMMM) research design, the sample size is still relatively small. This raises concerns about generalizability to the larger population and limits statistical analysis more suitable with larger data sets. However, the MMMM research design has enabled the authors to reach a difficult target sample. It has proven effective, although a longer time frame would have been helpful. Research limitations/implications – All of the large scale databases in entrepreneurship have limitations in providing optimal sampling frames for process-related research. The present research study was able to use conventional networks, social media sites and angel networks to connect with women business owners who have raised private equity, but who lack visibility in current data sets. The study shows that through the use of multiple methods, women entrepreneurs can be researched and some will share their experiences about process issues. The sample size was small and the quantitative data cannot be generalized. However, the methodology works and allows researchers to explore experiences that are not captured in existing data sets. Social implications – Entrepreneurship researchers can connect with “invisibles” by becoming more “social” and using social media sites that are used by women entrepreneurs. Researchers may not have immediate access to women entrepreneurs through these means, but rather they need to develop interpersonal contacts, build a social presence and trust to recruit respondents to complete online questionnaire studies about substantive topics such as negotiating term sheets for equity investments in their companies. Originality/value – This paper summarizes the “research on research methodologies” in entrepreneurship, reviews secondary data sources and discusses their limitations for specific types of research questions. A review of the value of MMMM research designs and best practices in online survey research outside of entrepreneurship provides insights into the incorporation of digital tools in other disciplines.

Difficulties facing women entrepreneurs in Israel: a social stratification approach

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 142-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sibylle Heilbrunn ◽  
Khaled Abu-Asbeh ◽  
Muhammed Abu Nasra
Keyword(s):  
Labor Market ◽  
Social Stratification ◽  
Women Entrepreneurs ◽  
Immigrant Women ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Women Business Owners ◽  
Majority Population ◽  
Similarities And Differences ◽  
The Impact

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to explore the difficulties facing entrepreneurs in three groups of women in Israel: immigrant women from the Former Soviet Union (FSU), women belonging to the Palestinian Israeli minority and Jewish Israeli women belonging to the majority population. Relying on the stratification approach, the authors investigate the extent to which labor market, resource and women-specific disadvantages constrain women's entrepreneurship within these three groups. Design/methodology/approach – The target research population consisted of 477 women entrepreneurs who operated businesses between 2009 and 2010. Using systematic sampling, the authors surveyed 148 FSU immigrant women business owners, 150 Jewish Israeli women business owners and 170 Palestinian Israeli women business owners, using a comprehensive questionnaire administered in the entrepreneurs' native language. Findings – The authors found similarities and differences between the three groups as to their ability to handle difficulties deriving from labor market, resource and women-specific disadvantages. Overall, the authors found that Palestinian women entrepreneurs have relatively more difficulties than the other two groups. Research limitations/implications – Women entrepreneurs' socio-political status within stratified social realities imposes constraints on their economic activities. Further research should investigate policies, which could assist in overcoming these constraints taking into consideration similarities and differences between specific groups. Originality/value – In addition to shedding light on the impact of socio-political environmental circumstances on women entrepreneurs in a particular country, the authors believe that applying the social stratification approach is especially valuable at the intersection of minority status, gender and entrepreneurship.

What the fake? Assessing the extent of networked political spamming and bots in the propagation of #fakenews on Twitter

2019 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-71 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Al-Rawi ◽  
Jacob Groshek ◽  
Li Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Fake News ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mainstream Media ◽  
News Discourse ◽  
Twitter Data ◽  
News Organizations ◽  
Twitter Users ◽  
One Year

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to examine one of the largest data sets on the hashtag use of #fakenews that comprises over 14m tweets sent by more than 2.4m users.Design/methodology/approachTweets referencing the hashtag (#fakenews) were collected for a period of over one year from January 3 to May 7 of 2018. Bot detection tools were employed, and the most retweeted posts, most mentions and most hashtags as well as the top 50 most active users in terms of the frequency of their tweets were analyzed.FindingsThe majority of the top 50 Twitter users are more likely to be automated bots, while certain users’ posts like that are sent by President Donald Trump dominate the most retweeted posts that always associate mainstream media with fake news. The most used words and hashtags show that major news organizations are frequently referenced with a focus on CNN that is often mentioned in negative ways.Research limitations/implicationsThe research study is limited to the examination of Twitter data, while ethnographic methods like interviews or surveys are further needed to complement these findings. Though the data reported here do not prove direct effects, the implications of the research provide a vital framework for assessing and diagnosing the networked spammers and main actors that have been pivotal in shaping discourses around fake news on social media. These discourses, which are sometimes assisted by bots, can create a potential influence on audiences and their trust in mainstream media and understanding of what fake news is.Originality/valueThis paper offers results on one of the first empirical research studies on the propagation of fake news discourse on social media by shedding light on the most active Twitter users who discuss and mention the term “#fakenews” in connection to other news organizations, parties and related figures.

Annotated bibliography on women business owners: A diversity lens

2007 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bonita L. Betters-Reed ◽  
Lynda L. Moore
Keyword(s):  
African American ◽  
African American Women ◽  
Women Entrepreneurs ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
White Female ◽  
Institutional Barriers ◽  
Female Entrepreneurs ◽  
Women Business Owners ◽  
Two Generations ◽  
Race Ethnicity

When we take the lens of race, ethnicity, gender, and class to the collected academic work on women business owners, what does it reveal? What do we really know? Are there differing definitions of success across segments of the women businessowner demographics? Do the challenges faced by African American women entrepreneurs differ from those confronting white female entrepreneurs? Do immigrant female women businessowners face more significant institutional barriers than their counterparts who have been U.S. citizens for at least two generations? Are there similar reasons for starting their businesses?

Challenging the concept of risk in relation to women’s entrepreneurship

2015 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne Laure Humbert ◽  
Clare Brindley
Keyword(s):  
Women Entrepreneurs ◽  
Risk Perceptions ◽  
Financial Risk ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Women Business Owners ◽  
Economic Context ◽  
Self Employment ◽  
Growth Prospects ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Experiences Of Women

Purpose – This paper aims to challenge the myth of risk-averseness among women entrepreneurs and analyses risk in the context of gender. It explores risk perceptions and examines the relationship between the concept of risk and women’s socially attributed roles. Design/methodology/approach – This paper adopts a qualitative approach, where ten Irish women business owners were interviewed, that encouraged them to talk about their entrepreneurial experiences. The research design aimed to elicit data concerning how gender and the socio-economic context influenced risk. Findings – Risk is shown as a gendered concept which needs to be widened to suit the experiences of women entrepreneurs and the influences of the gendered expectations of care dictated by the socio-economic environment. Practical implications – Risk as a concept needs to be expanded to go beyond financial risk. The different types of risk encountered by women should be addressed by policy to promote a further growth of women-led enterprises and support those considering self-employment. Originality/value – The paper develops an understanding of risk among women entrepreneurs in their socio-economic context. It challenges the viewpoint of seeing women entrepreneurs as risk-averse and thus leading to low-growth prospects for their business ventures.

Growth barriers of women-owned home-based businesses in Iran: an exploratory study

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 244-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meisam Modarresi ◽  
Zahra Arasti ◽  
Kambiz Talebi ◽  
Maghsoud Farasatkhah
Keyword(s):  
Business Owners ◽  
Business Growth ◽  
Female Entrepreneurs ◽  
Financial Barriers ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Women Business Owners ◽  
Home Based ◽  
Growth Barriers ◽  
Depth Interviews

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify the growth barriers of women’s home-based businesses (HBBs) in Iran. Design/methodology/approach The qualitative approach was used by 22 in-depth interviews with Iranian female HBBs owners/mangers. Findings Business growth barriers of women were categorized in a multi-level framework of individual barriers (micro), business-related barriers (medium) and environmental barriers (macro). The most important micro-level barrier is lack of skills and experience, while the financial barriers identified as the most business-related one and, finally, the problems of having work interactions with men is the most important environmental barrier women-owned HBBs mentioned. Research limitations/implications The results of this paper can help policy-makers better understand growth barriers for women-owned HBB and attenuate these barriers by developing purposeful supportive growth policies that are commensurate with the barriers. Also, HBB women owners themselves could better concentrate on removing barriers by deepening their understanding of their business growth barriers. Originality/value The paper contributes to the scarce knowledge about women-owned HBBs in Iran, a rapidly growing, developing country, which can provide better insights from a less explored context. Moreover, as there is only a limited understanding of HBB growth, especially in relation to women business owners, the paper results can prove helpful for researchers in the domain of female entrepreneurs.

Women Entrepreneurs

2002 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 156-157
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Small Business ◽  
International Research ◽  
Women Entrepreneurs ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Women Business Owners ◽  
Us Economy ◽  
The Us ◽  
Set Up

‘Internet Review’ identifies relevant and useful Websites related to entrepreneurship and innovation. This issue's article reviews Websites on women entrepreneurs. The US Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy estimated that there were 9.1 million women-owned firms in 2001, employing 27.5 million people and contributing $3.6 trillion in sales and revenue to the US economy. Over 18 million women business owners set up one-third of the companies created in the European Union. International research results suggest that the needs of women entrepreneurs worldwide are similar and that their major problems are finance/capital, education/training and networks/markets.

Differences in Familial Influence Among Women-Owned Businesses

1994 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 273-286 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa K Gundry ◽  
Harold P. Welsch
Keyword(s):  
Significant Role ◽  
Women Entrepreneurs ◽  
Sales Performance ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Family Influence ◽  
Women Business Owners ◽  
Expansion Planning ◽  
Industrial Sectors ◽  
Woman Entrepreneur ◽  
Business Family

This study identifies groups of women entrepreneurs who were subject to varying degrees of family influence. The term family intensity was derived to characterize those firms that had family investors and family members employed in the business. Eight hundred thirty-two women business owners were sampled, representing a wide variety of industrial sectors. The findings suggest that family intensity plays a significant role in strategic planning and degree of involvement in the business. Family-intense firms were more likely to engage in growth and expansion planning and to report greater sales performance. Furthermore, the results suggest that family intensity affects careerism and ownership issues confronting the woman entrepreneur.

scholarly journals Women business owners’ start-up motivations and network content

2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 590-610 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jalleh Sharafizad ◽  
Alan Coetzer
Keyword(s):  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Women Business Owners ◽  
Training Interventions ◽  
Start Up ◽  
Work Family ◽  
Starting A Business

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine how women small business owners’ (SBOs) business start-up motivations influence their network content. Design/methodology/approach – Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 28 women SBOs who were recruited through purposeful sampling methods. Interview data on their start-up motivations were used to categorise them into three types: classic, forced and work-family. The interviews explored the network contents of the three categories of participants. Findings – There were many similarities between network contents of classic and forced SBOs, as both groups had started their business for financial reasons rather than family reasons. All the participants’ networks contained information and advice, economic transactions, intangible support and strong ties. However, the sources and types of network content were different for the classic and forced SBOs when compared to work-family SBOs. Research limitations/implications – This study has limitations that tend to be commonly found in exploratory studies, such as a small sample size. However, the findings lay the groundwork for future quantitative studies that examine associations between SBOs’ motivations for starting a business and their network contents. Originality/value – This research responds to calls for studies aimed at developing a more nuanced understanding of SBOs’ networking behaviour. The study provides empirical evidence of a relationship between the motivations for starting a business and the network content of SBOs. The findings can be used by businesswomen’s network organisations in their mentoring and training interventions.

scholarly journals The bottom-up formation and maintenance of a Twitter community

2015 ◽  
Vol 115 (4) ◽  
pp. 612-624 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eugene Ch'ng
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Online Communities ◽  
Online Community ◽  
Social Science Research ◽  
Community Research ◽  
Centrality Measures ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Bottom Up ◽  
Content Type

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the formation, maintenance and disintegration of a fringe Twitter community in order to understand if offline community structure applies to online communities. Design/methodology/approach – The research adopted Big Data methodological approaches in tracking user-generated contents over a series of months and mapped online Twitter interactions as a multimodal, longitudinal “social information landscape”. Centrality measures were employed to gauge the importance of particular user nodes within the complete network and time-series analysis were used to track ego centralities in order to see if this particular online communities were maintained by specific egos. Findings – The case study shows that communities with distinct boundaries and memberships can form and exist within Twitter’s limited user content and sequential policies, which unlike other social media services, do not support formal groups, demonstrating the resilience of desperate online users when their ideology overcome social media limitations. Analysis in this paper using social networks approaches also reveals that communities are formed and maintained from the bottom-up. Research limitations/implications – The research data is based on a particular data set which occurred within a specific time and space. However, due to the rapid, polarising group behaviour, growth, disintegration and decline of the online community, the data set presents a “laboratory” case from which many other online community can be compared with. It is highly possible that the case can be generalised to a broader range of communities and from which online community theories can be proved/disproved. Practical implications – The paper showed that particular group of egos with high activities, if removed, could entirely break the cohesiveness of the community. Conversely, strengthening such egos will reinforce the community strength. The questions mooted within the paper and the methodology outlined can potentially be applied in a variety of social science research areas. The contribution to the understanding of a complex social and political arena, as outlined in the paper, is a key example of such an application within an increasingly strategic research area – and this will surely be applied and developed further by the computer science and security community. Originality/value – The majority of researches that cover these domains have not focused on communities that are multimodal and longitudinal. This is mainly due to the challenges associated with the collection and analysis of continuous data sets that have high volume and velocity. Such data sets are therefore unexploited with regards to cyber-community research.

scholarly journals Problems of political unrest: women in small businesses in Bangladesh

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jasmine Jaim
Keyword(s):  
Small Businesses ◽  
Developing Nations ◽  
Business Owners ◽  
Feminist Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Women Business Owners ◽  
Women’S Entrepreneurship ◽  
Political Unrest ◽  
Women's Entrepreneurship ◽  
The Government

PurposeWhereas the extant literature on women's entrepreneurship is almost exclusively focused on developed nations, the effect of many context-specific issues of other countries on ventures of women has been overlooked. The study aims to reveal how political unrest, a common feature of the developing nation, can significantly affect the experiences of women in small businesses of that region.Design/methodology/approachThis feminist research is conducted on Bangladesh, which is one of the most politically unstable countries in the world. The study conducts interviews with women to explore the adverse effect of political unrest on their small firms.FindingsThe feminist research reveals some problems of women business-owners concerning political unrest in this highly patriarchal context. It also discloses how political chaos challenges the government initiative in financially supporting women business-owners.Practical implicationsPolicymakers of developing nations can be benefitted by taking into account the problems of women business-owners concerning political unrest, specifically the access to debt financing issues while designing policies for women's empowerment.Originality/valueThe article contributes to the women's entrepreneurship scholarship with reference to political unrest, a contextual issue of developing nations. Whereas the existing studies mostly concentrate on holding women individually liable for the limited scale of their business operation, this research potentially challenges the view by drawing upon political unrest as an external factor that negatively affects their ventures. The study further advances the prevailing knowledge by critically unveiling some gender-specific problems of women business-owners regarding political unrest.

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