Title: Networking evolution and entrepreneurial success: an exploratory study of female entrepreneurs in Pakistan

Authors: Rizwan Tahir; John Ireland; Mashal Waqar

Addresses: Department of Business and Management, Rochester Institute of Technology, Dubai Campus, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai, United Arab Emirates ' Department of Business and Management, Rochester Institute of Technology, Dubai Campus, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai, United Arab Emirates ' The Tempest Arabia FZCO, Technohub 1, Dubai Silicon Oasis, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Abstract: Despite the acknowledged benefits networking offers to entrepreneurs and the interest in female entrepreneurship in developing countries, there have not been any studies on the networking activities of Pakistani female entrepreneurs. This study obtained and analysed rich data from 20 in-depth interviews with Pakistani women entrepreneurs about their networking activities and how these changed as their businesses matured. Results demonstrated that Pakistani women initially join informal networks of family and friends but, when their businesses mature, they tend to join strategically valuable, high-quality networks that include anyone, regardless of gender, who offers guidance, insights or know-how. It is hoped that these results will guide government policy to facilitate female entrepreneurs' networking endeavours.

Keywords: entrepreneurial networking endeavours; entrepreneurial start-up firms; female entrepreneurs; gender; Pakistan.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBG.2021.118231

International Journal of Business and Globalisation, 2021 Vol.29 No.2, pp.163 - 177

Received: 28 Apr 2018
Accepted: 07 Apr 2019

Published online: 18 Oct 2021 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article