Effects of the participation of women entrepreneurs in women's associations in business in the State of Paraná

Abstract

The social networks are a means of development for entrepreneurs and for their companies. Training and the integration of networks are strategies used by entrepreneurs such as alternatives to overcome obstacles and obtaining resources (WHARTON; BRUNETTO, 2007; RAMOS; SOUZA, 2008). The objective of this study was to understand effects arising from the participation of women in business networks in the State of Paraná. For that, we used the qualitative method, performing 26 semi-structured interviews with women entrepreneurs who participate or have participated in the Council of Female Entrepreneur in the cities of Curitiba, Ponta Grossa, Foz do Iguaçu, Londrina, Maringa and Campo Mourao. Data analysis was performed by means of software Nvivo 8, resulting in codifications: reasons for entering, effects of participation for the companies and the effects of participation in the association for the businesswoman. They were identified in the results for the companies in terms of disclosure, shares of reciprocity, an increase in sales and exchange of experiences. Already about the effects on the individual, for the entrepreneurs, we also observed an increase of visibility, growth of professional respect, expansion of the contacts and knowledge management. These results are consistent with other literature (LERNER; BRUSH; HISRICH, 1997; MANOLOVA ET AL, 2007; MING-YEN; CHONG, 2007; WHARTON; BRUNETTO, 2007).