Margins of intervention? Gender, Bourdieu and women’s regional entrepreneurial networks

Figures & data

Figure 1. Total early-stage female entrepreneurial activity in Northern Ireland and the UK, 2002–2022.

Source: GEM APS

Figure 2. Total early-stage female entrepreneurial activity as a percentage of male in Northern Ireland and the UK, 2002–2022.

Source: GEM APS

Table 1. Background and purpose of the networks⁴ studied.

	Type of Network	Yr. of Formation	Texture	Function	Purpose
WON1	Women-Only	2002	Founded by 10 female businesswomen. Formally established 2005 (i.e. Board established – funding obtained funding obtained from local development agencies). Nominal membership fees and are administered by part-time coordinators who are also entrepreneurs.	Established as part of the Regional Entrepreneurship Strategy.	To provide women with support, information, and networking opportunities.
WON2	Women-Only	2001	Received an initial budget of £5000 from local development agency to provide increased business opportunities. Nominal membership fees and are administered by part-time coordinators who are also entrepreneurs.	Established as part of the Regional Entrepreneurship Strategy.	To support and develop women’s networking capability.
WON3	Women-Only	1986	Formally established in 1996, by a group of female businesswomen and academics. Funding received from local development agencies. Nominal membership fees and are administered by part-time coordinators who are also entrepreneurs.	Established as part of the Regional Entrepreneurship Strategy.	To provide information, a forum for experience sharing, and training courses.
WON4	Women-Only	1988/99	Established with funding obtained from local development agencies. Nominal membership fees and are administered by part-time coordinators who are also entrepreneurs.	Established as part of the Regional Entrepreneurship Strategy.	To support women going into business via signposting and providing networking, opportunities.
WON5	Women-Only	2004	Established with funding obtained from local development agencies. Nominal membership fees and are administered by part-time coordinators who are also entrepreneurs.	Established as part of the Regional Entrepreneurship Strategy.	To support women going into business via signposting and providing networking, opportunities.
WON6	Women-Only	2003/4	Established with funding obtained from local development agencies. Nominal membership fees and are administered by part-time coordinators who are also entrepreneurs.	Established as part of the Regional Entrepreneurship Strategy.	To provide women with support, information, and networking opportunities
MN 1	Mixed	1974	Established to assess the introduction of national insurance (tax) contributions and impact on small business owners. Larger with a more diverse membership base and employ full-time, dedicated staff.	To help to further the interests of small businesses in a local area.	To act as a campaigning pressure group.
MN2	Mixed	2003	Initiative of local council. Larger with a more diverse membership base and employ full-time, dedicated staff.	To help to further the interests of small businesses in a local area.	To support and develop businesses, and to help reduce unemployment.
MN3	Mixed	Early 1990s	Initially geared at manufacturing industry though now has broader industrial focus. Larger with a more diverse membership base and employ full-time, dedicated staff.	To help to further the interests of small businesses in a local area.	To provide a forum for industry and university stakeholders to discuss knowledge transfer, and mutual problems.
MN4	Mixed	Early 1990s	Focus on individual membership not company. Larger with a more diverse membership base and employ full-time, dedicated staff.	To help to further the interests of small businesses in a local area.	To act as a campaigning pressure group.
MN5	Mixed	Early 1980s	Geared at manufacturing industry. Larger with a more diverse membership base and employ full-time, dedicated staff.	To help to further the interests of small businesses in a local area.	To facilitate sharing and best practice amongst larger orgs

Table 2. Details of nascent business owners.

Respondent	Network Type	Business
Angela	Women only	Exhibition/Conference Stand manufacturer
Cathy	Women only	Inward Investor Facilitator/Talent Management
Denise	Mixed	Training and Consultancy – Health and Wellbeing
Elaine	Mixed	Life Coach
Fiona	Mixed	Event’s Organizer
Gillian	Women only	Tea and Coffee Importer
Helen	Women only	Project Management
Karen	Mixed	Life Insurance

Table 3. Details of established business owners.

Respondent	Network Type	Business
Louise	Women only	Designer – Hospitality and Leisure Industry
Mary	Mixed	Finance
Nuala	Mixed	Event’s Organizer
Patricia	Mixed	Insurance Broker
Maureen	Mixed	Virtual Office Services
Susan	Women only	Beautician (chain of shops)
Ann	Women only	Business Consultancy
Joanne	Mixed	Professional Networker/Facilitator
Hilary	Mixed	Wholesaler

Table 4. Data structure: inductive analysis and data coding.

Creating Provisional Categories and first Order Codes	Theoretical Categories (2^nd order themes)	Aggregate Theoretical Dimensions
Statements about entry to the field; power struggles; masculinity of the field; identifying the key movers and shakers; field structuring; eagerness to know the rules of engagement; jockeying for position.	Access to the Field Field Positions Hierarchy of the Field Cultural Alignment	Field Differentiated by Gender
Statements about knowing how to play the game; playing the game right; learning how to navigate the field; being mentored; increasing field positions; playing the game right.	A feel for the game Knowing how to Play the Game Capital Accumulating Strategies Symbolic Capital	Gender Habitus
Statements about; understanding and acceptance of field rules; abiding to the rules; recognition of dominant players; imitating male behaviours and practices; fitting in; conforming to stereotypical image of entrepreneur.	Acceptance of Rules of the Game Privileging the male experience Enculturation via Imitation Symbolic Violence	Doxa and Symbolic Violence