Date of Award
Fall 12-13-2024
Degree Type
Dissertation/Thesis
Degree Name
PhD in Business Administration
Department
Coles College of Business
Committee Chair/First Advisor
Canan Mutlu
Second Advisor
Birton Cowden
Third Advisor
Shelby Meek
Abstract
We explore the impact of social capital as women entrepreneurs determine whether to exploit their new venture opportunities as independent (outside an existing organization) ventures or dependent (within or connected to existing organization) ventures. Although there are studies focusing on women entrepreneurship and access to capital and resources, self-efficacy, stereotypes, risk, and entrepreneurial propensity, this study goes a step further by examining whether the aforementioned areas have received sufficient research or if they have deeper, unexplored or overlooked implications such as social capital (or its absence). The intersection of social capital and decision-making about entrepreneurship types is an area that is largely unexplored, and this study attempts to examine it critically.
Analyzing the Panel Study of Entrepreneurial Dynamics II (PSED II), a nationally representative sample of American adults, we aim to uncover strategic differences in the way social capital acts as a driver of both independent and dependent entrepreneurships. Utilizing the PSED II data, we hope to find significant differences in the impact of high as well as low levels of social capital.