The Contribution of Women in Family Business

International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management, Vol. 13, No. 1, pp. 62-79, 2011

Posted: 31 Mar 2011

See all articles by Jarna Heinonen

Jarna Heinonen

University of Turku - Department of Economics

Pekka Stenholm

University of Turku, School of Economics

Date Written: March 29, 2011

Abstract

This study presents the results from a social constructivist analysis of the accounts on women influence in family business as perceived by six women interviewed. The study aims to gain deeper understanding of the contribution of women to family business from the perspective of the women themselves. Our results show that women are vital for the functioning of the family business. The closeness to the business and contribution seem to go hand in hand independent on the formal ownership. Surprisingly, formal and visible ownership remained in the background when women defined their contribution indicating that psychological ownership is important in understanding the development of the women's contribution in the family business. Our results indicate that the woman herself does not belittle her contribution and recognises her own ways of exerting an influence. Our research opens up new avenues for studying the dynamics of family businesses from the actors' own perspectives.

JEL Classification: M13

Suggested Citation

Heinonen, Jarna and Stenholm, Pekka, The Contribution of Women in Family Business (March 29, 2011). International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Management, Vol. 13, No. 1, pp. 62-79, 2011, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1798737

Jarna Heinonen (Contact Author)

University of Turku - Department of Economics ( email )

20014 Turku
Finland

Pekka Stenholm

University of Turku, School of Economics ( email )

Rehtorinpellonkatu 3
Turku, FI-20014
Finland

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