Gender Differences in Acquiring Business Support from Online Social Networks

Social Networks have always been an invaluable resource for entrepreneurs attempting to engage in venture creation and growth. While differences in gender and its effect on traditional social networks have been explored, it is worth examining the gender effect when using the internet to create online network connections that supply useful resources. This study investigates the difference between male and female entrepreneurs’ social networks, the resources obtained from those networks, and the evolution of the ever-valuable weak tie. Hypotheses are tested using analysis of variance and analyses reveal women that female entrepreneurs and male entrepreneurs use the online network connections very differently in terms of the type of relationship and the type of resource acquired. The findings create implications for organizations that support female, minority or disadvantaged business development as these ventures increase in number and success