Research for influencing policy and practice
Women Into the Network’s dedicated work with women in business allows it to be both a global resource for women’s enterprise and a source of independent, cutting edge research into the impact of gender issues on business, and entrepreneurship.
Rationale research for WIN
The establishment of WIN itself was underpinned by initial mapping and auditing research, which showed that only one in five businesses in the North East were being run by women. Even more surprising was the fact that less than one in ten women were making use of the region’s 700 business networks. As a result, enterprising women were missing out on opportunities to start up and develop their businesses.
Things have progressed significantly and recent reports such as the 2004 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) have shown that the North East region has experienced the greatest increases in women starting businesses in the UK. GEM is a robust and well-respected annual indicator of changes in entrepreneurial activity. Download the report at: http://www.gemconsortium.org
Topical research
WIN have undertaken research to help better understand the issues facing women and business.
Banking
Central to our understanding of female entrepreneurship and the support and development of businesses owned and managed by women is the role of those individuals and organisations that interact with them. This study explores the nature of the relationships between women owner-managers in the North East of England and their bankers. It aims to develop an understanding of some of the perceived barriers between the two parties in order that both women owner-managers and bankers can develop a more mutually beneficial working relationship which, in turn, could enhance the prosperity of the North East region.
The study presents the findings in terms of what constitutes a good relationship; what are the barriers to this and highlights specific gender issues that arose from interviews with male and female owner managers and bankers. The factors that constitute a good relationship between bankers and owner managers are very similar apart from; women having to deal with the attitudes of some 'traditional' bankers still holding specific views as to women's roles in society; not taking women seriously (home workers and craft-based businesses classed as ‘hobbyists’); women feeling unable to participate in hospitality and networking events because they don't find them appropriate to their needs; women perceiving bankers roles to include that of proactively helping them to network in order to make contacts and develop their businesses.
The study also found mixed perceptions and expectations:
- Women wanted banks to be more proactive and interested in their business. An important stakeholder.
- Men merely saw the bank as a service provider
- Bankers – did want access to their networks ……. but it was found that mechanisms & venues used by banks are often not appropriate
The assumptions being made had resulted in areas of support being closed off and it was found that specific training for women to better manage their bank managers & vice versa was needed.
As a result of this work and earlier research undertaken, Relationship Management Programmes have been designed and are now disseminated to bankers and those in the professional sector on a regional, national and international scale. A workshop entitled, ‘Managing your Bank Manager to Manage You More Effectively’ has also been designed for female (and male) business owners. If you would like further information on ‘Developing an Effective Working Relationship with the Small Business Customer’ please email Dinah.bennett@durham.ac.uk
Technology
WIN have also examined the factors contributing to the small numbers of women entrepreneurs within the technology sector. Technological developments present great opportunities for new businesses in the UK, but what of women’s role in this whole sector of technology-based businesses? Women are clearly represented, however much of the commentary on women as technology-based business owners is based on anecdotal case stories. These studies are of value in that they provide a glimpse of what is known about the ability of women to start up and develop these businesses and begin to highlight some of the key factors impeding technology-based women entrepreneurs. This research tries to go behind cases and examine whether women’s experience of starting and running technology-based businesses is any different to those of their male counterparts.
The findings of the report centre around:
The incidence and type of technology-based businesses run by women.
Why and how women start such businesses?
What barriers are perceived to prevent women’s entry into this important market place?
Who provides what type of business support for such businesses?
Is this support used by women and do they perceive gaps in current services that exist?
Overall, this research has lead to an enhanced understanding of the needs of women within this sector. If you would like further information on this research, please email Dinah.Bennett@durham.ac.uk
Facilitators of research
WIN are regularly approached by the Small Business Service, Regional Development Agencies and consultancies to act as facilitators of research. WIN provide information, statistics and putting forward members as case studies and role models to a range of different research projects. The Women’s Enterprise Online Summit Event in June 2005, a Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) initiative, was based on WIN’s role model publication IF (Inspired Females) Only, featured women from the publication and from a variety of women’s support organisations around the UK. Read the success stories and watch the videos at http://www.womensenterprise.co.uk
WIN are approached for their views on policy and research and are an integral interface between researchers and women in business both within the region and more widely
Ongoing member research
WIN puts its members and their needs at the core of everything it does, continuously researching their views and experiences to ensure that the network delivers an effective business support service. WIN has undertaken biannual reviews of its membership and used findings from this research to revise and extend its services as well as informing other local business support agencies about successful aspects of their work and gaps in provision. WIN is about to undertake its third such review.
The last WIN review sought feedback on our events; website; emails/newsletters; publicity & political issues. WIN acted on this feedback and as a result saw a change in the way events were planned, resulting in a more business-focussed programme which is delivered around the region. WIN introduced dedicated networking opportunities and implemented new techniques both prior to and during events. The desire for better navigation, links, features and layout of our website culiminated in the design of the new website and includes a clear definition of WIN membership. The reduction in the number of emails sent to members by way of implementing a monthly ezine & downloadable newsletter were activated as a result of the review. Increased championing of women’s success with the introduction of several role model publications, media requests and government case study material were also built on. This, along with increased publicity and visibility of WIN, has attracted members from all over the world.
Award winning research
WIN’s authority on women’s enterprise was recognised at the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD women’s forums) and at a prestigious forum for female entrepreneurship in Brussels, at which WIN represented the UK. The European Commission charged the Austrian Institute for Small Business Research with the task of identifying specific actions and measures promoting female entrepreneurship throughout Europe. WIN were measured against the criteria and selected as the UK’s best practice initiative for promoting female entrepreneurship. Click here for more information on the research and to download a copy of the Publications on Good Practices in the Promotion of Female Entrepreneurship.
Policy research and comment
Whilst Women into the Network is very much about practice it is also involved in influencing the government policy that shapes this practice.
WIN and its members were key in shaping the UK government’s first Strategic Framework for Women’s Enterprise, was a founding member of the national women’s enterprise support trade association PROWESS, and regularly participates in international, national and regional business and economic fora - guiding the policy and programmes of small business agencies, regional development agencies and local government. Download a copy of the Strategic Framework for Women’s Enterprise.
In 2004, the government established the Women’s Enterprise Panel, an ad hoc body, brought together to advise government on the content of a new Action Plan in support of its Women’s Enterprise agenda and to consider options for the establishment of a national Women’s Business Council. The proposal for the establishment of a Women’s Business Council drew on the opinions of stakeholders and partners before it was recommended to government. Download the Proposal for Establishment of a Women’s Business Council
The vision of the Regional Economic Strategy (RES) is to provide a strategy for the sustainable, inclusive economic growth necessary to underpin the fulfilment of the overarching vision for the North East. This shared vision agreed between the North East Assembly, Government Office for the North East, One NorthEast, and stakeholders within the Shaping Horizons in the North East (SHINE) process, highlights the challenges and priorities that we face as a region. It will create a greater understanding and promote greater alignment across regional strategies and policies.
Download the Regional Economic Strategy Consultation Document 2005
