TY - JOUR

T1 - SHEstainability

T2 - How relationship networks influence the idea generation in opportunity recognition process by female social entrepreneurs

AU - Spiegler, Anna B.

AU - Halberstadt, Jantje

PY - 2018

Y1 - 2018

N2 - Despite the rapid growth of literature on social entrepreneurship and its increasing importance for social change and sustainability, little is known about how social entrepreneurship originates in different settings. In this study, we applied a gender-based perspective to analyse the origin and development of social entrepreneurship. Focusing on female social entrepreneurs in Namibia, we investigated how relationship networks sensitised women towards opportunities for social and sustainable innovations and who particularly influenced them during this process of idea generation and realisation. Using a mixed-method approach consisting of semi-structured interviews and egocentric network analysis, we identified an opportunity recognition process that differs from that of conventional ventures. Our results show that social innovation is not, e.g., due to gate-keepers but rather a result of everyday community interaction settings. This finding challenges current theories of (social) entrepreneurship, suggesting a need to further investigate the roles of gender and the socio-economic context.

AB - Despite the rapid growth of literature on social entrepreneurship and its increasing importance for social change and sustainability, little is known about how social entrepreneurship originates in different settings. In this study, we applied a gender-based perspective to analyse the origin and development of social entrepreneurship. Focusing on female social entrepreneurs in Namibia, we investigated how relationship networks sensitised women towards opportunities for social and sustainable innovations and who particularly influenced them during this process of idea generation and realisation. Using a mixed-method approach consisting of semi-structured interviews and egocentric network analysis, we identified an opportunity recognition process that differs from that of conventional ventures. Our results show that social innovation is not, e.g., due to gate-keepers but rather a result of everyday community interaction settings. This finding challenges current theories of (social) entrepreneurship, suggesting a need to further investigate the roles of gender and the socio-economic context.

KW - Egocentric network analysis

KW - Female entrepreneurship

KW - Namibia

KW - Opportunity recognition

KW - Social entrepreneurship

KW - Social innovations

KW - Social networks

KW - Sustainability

KW - Sustainability Science

KW - Gender and Diversity

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85049604986&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1504/IJEV.2018.092716

DO - 10.1504/IJEV.2018.092716

M3 - Journal articles

AN - SCOPUS:85049604986

VL - 10

SP - 202

EP - 235

JO - International Journal of Entrepreneurial Venturing

JF - International Journal of Entrepreneurial Venturing

SN - 1742-5360

IS - 2

ER -