Vol. 14 No. 2 (2026)
June 2026

Articles

Building networks in the manufacturing sector: A qualitative study of women entrepreneurs in Türkiye

Published 2026-06-01

  • Nuray Atsan
    • ,
  • Melek Öz Okudan

Nuray Atsan
Akdeniz University

Melek Öz Okudan
Akdeniz University

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the article is to explore how Turkish women entrepreneurs who own medium and large-scale manufacturing firms construct and mobilise social networks and how these networks evolve over time.

Research Design & Methods: A qualitative research design was employed. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 women entrepreneurs in the manufacturing sector in Antalya, Türkiye. Due to the absence of a formal database, snowball sampling was used. The data were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) to capture participants’ lived experiences in relation to the research questions.

Findings: The findings show that women entrepreneurs actively engage in networking throughout the entrepreneurial process. While networks were relatively limited during the start-up phase, they expanded and diversified as ventures grew. Four main network types were identified: personal networks, influential mentors, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and public institutions. These networks provided key benefits, including financial support, customer and personnel access, information sharing, and motivational support.

Implications & Recommendations: The results emphasise the importance of cultivating networks beyond family ties, particularly with mentors, NGOs, and formal institutions, to support venture development and sustainability.

Contribution & Value Added: By focusing on women entrepreneurs in the manufacturing sector in a developing country context, this study extends existing research on gender and social networks beyond service-sector and Western settings.

Keywords

women entrepreneurs, social networks, qualitative study, manufacturing sector, Türkiye

(PDF) Save

Author Biography

Nuray Atsan

Associate Professor of Management at the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, Department of Management, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Türkiye. Her research interests include organisational and entrepreneurial behaviour.

Melek Öz Okudan

Independent Researcher. Her research interests include entreprenuership and organisational behaviour.

References

  1. Ahl, H. (2006). Why research on women entrepreneurs needs new directions. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 30(5), 595-621. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199546992.003.0023
  2. Aksoy, İ. (2016). Toplumsal ve Siyasal Süreçte Türk Kadını. Yasama Dergisi, (32), 7-20. Retrieved from https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/yasamadergisi/article/741374 on September 20, 2024.
  3. Anderson, A.R., & Jack, S.L. (2002). The articulation of entrepreneurial social capital: Content and process. Entrepreneurship and Regional Development, 14(3), 193-210. https://doi.org/10.1080/08985620110112079
  4. Arregle, J., Batjargal, B., Hitt, M.A., Webb, J.W., Miller, T., & Tsui, A.S. (2015). Family Ties in Entrepreneurs’ Social Networks and New Venture Growth. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 39(2), 313-344. https://doi.org/10.1111/etap.12044
  5. Atsan, N. (2022). The Profile of Women Entrepreneurs: A Contextual Analysis from a developing country. In Uçel B. (Eds.), Eastern Perspectives on Women’s Roles and Advancement in Business (pp. 155-175). New York, NY: IGI Global Publications. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-7998-8742-3.ch008
  6. Au, K., & Kwan, H.K. (2009). Start–Up Capital and Chinese Entrepreneurs: The Role of Family. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 33(4), 889-908. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6520.2009.00331.x
  7. Ayta, F., & Şen, M. (2023). Overview of women’s employment in Turkey: Selected country examples in the context of increasing employment. International Journal of Economics and Innovation, 9(2), 421-454. https://doi.org/10.20979/ueyd.1327737
  8. Brüderl, J., & Preisendorfer, P. (1998). Network support and the success of newly founded businesses. Small Business Economics, 10(3), 213-225. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007997102930
  9. Brush, C., Edelman, L.F., Manolova, T., & Welter, F. (2019). A gendered look at entrepreneurship ecosystems. Small Business Economics, 53, 393-408. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11187-018-9992-9
  10. Bruton, G.D., Ahlstrom, D., & Li, H.-L., (2010). Institutional theory and entrepreneurship: where are we now and where do we need to move in the future?. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 34(3), 421-440. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6520.2010.00390.x
  11. Buğra, A. (1994). State and business in Turkey. Albany: State University of New York Press.
  12. Busenitz, L., Gómez, C., & Spencer, J. (2000). Country institutional profiles: unlocking entrepreneurial phenomena. Academy of Management Journal, 43(5), 994-1003. https://doi.org/10.2307/1556423
  13. Carranza, E., Dhakal, C., & Love, I. (2018). Female Entrepreneurs: How and Why Are They Different? (Report No: 20). Washington, DC: The World Bank. https://doi.org/10.1596/31004
  14. Dubini, P., & Aldrich, H.E. (1991). Personal and Extended Networks Are Central to the Entrepreneurial Process. Journal of Business Venturing, 6(5), 305-313. https://doi.org/10.1016/0883-9026(91)90021-5
  15. Egbert, H. (2009). Business Success Through Social Networks? A Comment on Social Networks and Business Success. American Journal of Economics and Sociology, 68(3), 665-677. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1536-7150.2009.00643.x
  16. Faroque, A.R., Morrish, S.C., & Ferdous, A.S. (2017). Networking, business process innovativeness and export per-formance: the case of South Asian low-tech industry. Journal of Business & Industrial Marketing, 32(6), 864-875. https://doi.org/10.1108/JBIM-06-2015-0113
  17. Foss, L. (2010). Research on entrepreneur networks: The case for a constructionist feminist theory perspective. International Journal of Gender and Entrepreneurship, 2(1), 83-102. https://doi.org/10.1108/17566261011026565
  18. Goulding, C. (2005). Grounded theory, ethnography and phenomenology: A comparative analysis of three qualitative strategies for marketing research. European Journal of Marketing, 39(3/4), 294-308. https://doi.org/10.1108/03090560510581782
  19. Granovetter, M.S. (1973). The Strength of Weak Ties. American Journal of Sociology, 78, 1360-1380.
  20. https://doi.org/10.1086/225469
  21. Greve, A., & Salaff, J.W. (2003). Social networks and entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 28(4), 1-22. https://doi.org/10.1111/1540-8520.00029
  22. Hampton, A., McGowan, P., & Cooper, S. (2011). Developing quality in female high-tech entrepreneurs’ networks. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour & Research, 17(6), 588-606. https://doi.org/10.1108/13552551111174684
  23. Hansen, E.L. (1995). Entrepreneurial networks and new organizational growth. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 19(4), 7-19. https://doi.org/10.1177/104225879501900402
  24. Hernández-Carrión, C., Camarero-Izquierdo, C., & Gutierrez-Cillan, J. (2019). The internal mechanisms of entrepreneur´s social capital: A multi-network analysis. BRQ Business Research Quarterly, 116-134. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brq.2018.12.001
  25. Hisrich, R.D., & Öztürk, S.A. (1999). Women entrepreneurs in a developing economy. Journal of Management Development, 18(2), 144-125. https://doi.org/ 10.1108/02621719910257639
  26. Hite, J., & Hesterly, W. (2001). The evolution of firm networks: From emergence to early growth of the firm. Strategic Management Journal, 22(3), 275-286. https://doi.org/10.1002mj.156
  27. Hoang, H., & Antoncic, B. (2003). Network-based research in entrepreneurship: A critical review. Journal of Business Venturing, 18(2), 165-187. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0883-9026(02)00081-2
  28. Hofstede, G. (1980). Culture's Consequences: International differences in work related values. London and Beverly Hills: Sage Publications.
  29. Isakova, E., & Stroila, I. (2025). Turning the tables towards gender inclusivity in entrepreneurial ecosystems. Journal of Business Research, 200, 115620, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2025.115620
  30. İçli, T.G. (2003). Cumhuriyet Döneminde Kadının Sosyal Konumu. Atatürk Araştırma Merkezi Dergisi, 19(56), 583-95. Retrieved from https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/aamd/article/907334 on August 20, 2024.
  31. Jenssen, J.I., & Koenig, H.F. (2002). The effect of social networks on resource access and business startups. European Planning Studies, 10(8), 1039-1046. https://doi.org/10.1080/0965431022000031301
  32. Johannisson, B. (1987). Anarchists and organizers: Entrepreneurs in a network perspective. International Studies of Management & Organization, 27(1), 49-63. https://doi.org/10.1080/00208825.1987.11656445
  33. Johannisson, B., Alexanderson, O., Nowicki, K., & Senneseth, K. (1994). Beyond anarchy and organization: Entrepreneurs in contextual networks. Entrepreneurship and Regional Development, 6(4), 329-356. https://doi.org/10.1080/08985629400000020
  34. John, E. (2024). Show me your networks and i’ll tell you your future: Entrepreneurial networks and SME performance. Cogent Business & Management, 11(1), 2363433. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2024.2363433
  35. Kalemci Tuzun, I., & Araz Takay, B. (2017). Patterns of female entrepreneurial activities in Turkey. Gender in Management: An International Journal, 32(3), 166-182. https://doi.org/10.1108/GM-05-2016-0102
  36. Karadeniz, E., Kunday, Ö., Schott, T., & Gizer, G. (2023). Impact of the pandemic on Entrepreneurship in Turkey GEM 2021-2022 (Report no: 69). İstanbul: Yeditepe University Press. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/380850841_IMPACT_OF_THE_PANDEMIC_ON_ENTREPRENEURSHIP_IN_TURKEY_GEM_20212022 on June 22, 2024.
  37. Karatas-Ozkan, M., Inal, G., & Ozbilgin, M. (2010). Turkey. In S. Fielden and M. Davidson (Eds). International Handbook of Successful Women Entrepreneurs (pp. 175-188). Cheltenham and New York, NY: Edward Elgar Press.
  38. Kim, S., & Sherraden, M. (2014). The Impact of Gender and Social Networks on Microenterprise Business Performance. The Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare, 41(3), 49-69. https://doi.org/10.15453/0191-5096.3967
  39. Klyver, K., & Hindle, K. (2007). The role of social networks at different stages of business formation. Small Enterprise Research, 15(1), 22-38. https://doi.org/10.1080/13215906.2007.11005830
  40. Kwong, C., Jones‐Evans, D., & Thompson, P. (2012). Differences in perceptions of access to finance between potential male and female entrepreneurs: Evidence from the UK. International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behaviour & Research, 18(1), 75-97. https://doi.org/10.1108/13552551211201385
  41. Laukhuf, R.L., & Malone, T.A. (2015). Women Entrepreneurs Need Mentors. International Journal of Evidence Based Coaching and Mentoring, 13, 70-86. Retrieved from http://www.business.brookes.ac.uk/research/areas/coachingandmentoring/ on August 10, 2024.
  42. Lindberg, M., Lindgren, M., & Packendorff, J. (2010). The role of NGOs in supporting women’s entrepreneurship A study of a Quadruple Helix project in the Baltic sea region (Quadruple Helix Reports No:4). Retrieved from https://www.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:459298.pdf on July 5, 2024.
  43. Maden, C. (2015). A gendered lens on entrepreneurship: Women entrepreneurship in Turkey. Gender in Management: An International Journal, 30(4), 312-331. https://doi.org/10.1108/GM-11-2013-0131
  44. Makal, A. (2001). Türkiye’de 1950-1965 Döneminde Ücretli Kadın Emeğine İlişkin Gelişmeler. Ankara Üniversitesi SBF Dergisi, 56(2), 117-155. https://doi.org/10.1501/SBFder_0000001830
  45. Moletta, J., de Carvalho, G.D.G., do Nascimento, R.F., Barboza, B.M.L., Resende L.M., & Pontes, J. (2023). Business networks of women entrepreneurs: An analysis of the expectation and reality of factors that affect trust in a business network. Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing, 34, 1021-1036. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10845-021-01834-8
  46. Mozumdar, L., Hagelaar, G., Materia, V.C., Omta, S.W.F., Islam, M.A., & Welde G. (2019). Embeddedness or Over-Embeddedness? Women Entrepreneurs’ Networks and Their Influence on Business Performance. The European Journal of Development Research, 31, 1449-1469. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41287-019-00217-3
  47. Munch, A., McPherson, J.M., & Smith-Lovin, L. (1997). Gender, children, and social contact: The effects of childrearing for men and women. American Sociological Review, 62(4), 509-520. https://doi.org/10.2307/2657423
  48. Mũnoz, P., & Kibler, E. (2016). Institutional complexity and social entrepreneurship: a fuzzy-set approach. Journal of Business Research, 69, 1314-1318. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2015.10.098
  49. Neumeyer, X., Santos, S.C., Caetano, A., & Kalbfleisch, P. (2019). Entrepreneurship ecosystems and women entrepreneurs: a social capital and network approach. Small Business Economics, 53, 475-489. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11187-018-9996-5
  50. Ozkazanc-Pan, B., & Clark Muntean, S. (2018). Networking towards (in)equality: Women entrepreneurs in technology. Gender, Work & Organization, 25(4), 379-400. https://doi.org/10.1111/gwao.12225
  51. Panda, S. (2018). Constraints faced by women entrepreneurs in developing countries: review and ranking. Gender in Management, 33(4), 315-331. https://doi.org/10.1108/GM-01-2017-0003
  52. Peltier, W., & Naidu, G.M. (2012). Social networks across the SME organizational lifecycle. Journal of Small Business and Enterprise Development, 19(1), 56-73. https://doi.org/10.1108/14626001211196406
  53. Poggesi, S., Mari, M., & De Vita, L. (2016). What’s New in Female Entrepreneurship Research? Answers from the Literature. International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 12(3), 735-764. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11365-015-0364-5
  54. Renzulli, L.A., Aldrich, H., & Moody, J. (2000). Family matters: Gender, networks, and entrepreneurial outcomes. Social Forces, 79(2), 523-546. https://doi.org/10.2307/2675508
  55. Sargut, A.S. (1999). Institutionalization Process in Collectivist Cultures: A Cross‐ Cultural Approach. Utrecht Business Review, 1(1), 75‐87. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/256932967_Sargut_A_S_1999_Institutionalization_process_in_collectivist_cultures_A_cross-cultural_approach_Utrecht_Business_Review_1_175-87 on June 18, 2024.
  56. Sargut, A.S. (2003). Kurumsal Alanlardaki Örgüt Yapılarının Oluşmasında ve Ekonomik İşlemlerin Yürütülmesinde Güvenin Rolü. In F. Erdem (Eds.), Sosyal Bilimlerde Güven (pp. 89-124). Ankara: Vadi Publications.
  57. Sarıkoyuncu, A. (1999). An Assessment of Women’s Rights in Turcs. Bilig, 8, 113-124. Retrieved from https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/bilig/article/268086 on July 18, 2024.
  58. Seckin Halac, D., & Seckin Celik, T. (2019). A Qualitative Look into Gendered Entrepreneurship in Turkey. Istanbul Business Research, 47(2), 105-123. https://doi.org/10.26650/ibr.2018.47.2.0037
  59. Shabsough, T., Semerci, A.B., & Ergeneli, A. (2021). Women’s entrepreneurial intention: The role of sticky floor perception and social networking. The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, 22(1), 45-55. https://doi.org/10.1177/1465750320927356
  60. Shaymardanov, M., Heikkinen, S., & Lämsä, A.-M. (2023). Social Networks of Women in Organizations: Evolution of Research and Future Research Agenda. South Asian Journal of Business and Management Cases, 12(1), 97-112. https://doi.org/10.1177/22779779231154647
  61. Smith, J.A. (2004). Reflecting on the development of interpretive phenomenological analysis and its contribution to qualitative research in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 1(1), 39-54. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088704qp004oa
  62. Smith, J.A., Flowers, P., & Larkin, M. (2009). Interpretative phenomenological analysis: Theory, method and research. Los Angeles, CA: SAGE
  63. Tata, J., & Prasad, S. (2008). Social capital, collaborative exchange and microenterprise performance: The role of gender. International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Small Business, 5(3/4), 373-388. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJESB.2008.017310
  64. Toksöz, G. (2016). Transition from ‘Woman’ to ‘Family’ An Analysis of AKP Era Employment Policies from a Gender Perspective. Journal für Entwicklungspolitik, 32(2), 111-121. https://doi.org/10.20446/JEP-2414-3197-32-1-64
  65. Turkish Statistical Institute (TURKSTAT) 2007 & 2022 Data. Retrieved from https://www.tuik.gov.tr/Home/Index on July 20, 2024.
  66. TURKONFED Report (2017). Retrieved from https://turkonfed.org/tr/detay/1301/turkonfed-is-dunyasinda-kadin-2017-raporu-1-faz-sonuclari on July 20, 2024.
  67. Ufuk, H., & Özgen, Ö. (2001). Interaction between the Business and Family Lives of Women Entrepreneurs in Turkey. Journal of Business Ethics, 31, 95-106. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1010712023858
  68. Verheul, I., & Thurik, R. (2001). Start-Up Capital: “Does Gender Matter?.” Small Business Economics, 16(4), 329-45. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1011178629240
  69. Welter, F. (2006). Women’s entrepreneurship in Germany: progress in a still traditional environment. In Brush, C., Carter, N., Gatewood, E. & Hart, M. (Eds), Growth-oriented Women Entrepreneurs and Their Businesses: A Global Research Perspective, Boston, MA: Edward Elgar Publishing.
  70. Winn, J. (2005). Women entrepreneurs: Can we remove the barriers?. The International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 1(3), 381-397. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11365-005-2602-8
  71. Witt, P. (2004). Entrepreneurs’ networks and the success of start-ups. Entrepreneurship and Regional Development, 16(5), 391-412. https://doi.org/10.1080/0898562042000188423
  72. Witt, P., Schroeter, A., & Merz, C. (2008). Entrepreneurial resource acquisition via personal networks: An empirical study of German start-ups. Service Industries Journal, 28(7), 37-41. https://doi.org/10.1080/02642060701846846
  73. Xie, X., & Lv, J. (2016). Social networks of female tech-entrepreneurs and new venture performance: the moderating effects of entrepreneurial alertness and gender discrimination. International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, 12(4), 963-983. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11365-016-0413-8
  74. Yadav, V., & Unni, J. (2016). Women entrepreneurship: research review and future directions. Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research, 6, 12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40497-016-0055-x
  75. Yin, R. (2009). Case Study Research: Design and Methods (4th ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
  76. Zhu, L., Kara, O., & Zhu, X. (2019). A comparative study of women entrepreneurship in transitional economies. Journal of Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies, 11(1), 66-80. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEEE-04-2017-0027

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.