A study on how women BAs perceive themselves and the BA investment industry based on their education, experiences and their social capital in Sweden.

Purpose – This study explores the assumptions of Sohl and Hill (2007) and Harrison and Mason (2007), and analyses if these can be empirically supported. This is done from the theoretical perspective of gender studies and explored how women BAs perceive themselves and understand the industry, based on their own educations, experiences and social capital. Methodology – This study follows a qualitative research approach in the form of semi-structured interviews with eight women BAs from Sweden. I evaluate their education, experience, their social capital and how they perceive themselves as a BA within the industry.Findings – Outcomes reveal that the highly educated interviewees possess experience in higher management positions, in entrepreneurship as well as investment. The findings correlate with the findings of Harrison and Mason (2007) and contradict the findings of Sohl and Hill (2007). Research limitations/ implications – Limitations of this study are based on its sample size and the geographical location, namely the eight interviewees in Sweden. Generalizing all women BAs and their experiences is not possible, due to them being in specific industries as tech or deep-tech. Not interviewing men BAs and comparing the findings with women BAs could also lead to a bias. Practical implications – This study offers practical advice for BAs considering diversity in networks. People from various age groups and different countries will bring diversity in terms of observing things from a ‘younger’ perspective, which then leads to new investment opportunities. Furthermore, having more diverse networks in terms of gender will change the male-dominated industry to a balanced investment industry