The Role of Relational Capital in the Innovativeness of Women-Led Startups: Case Studies from Italian Food & Beverage Sector

Authors

  • Elisabeth Pereira Department of Economics, Management, Industrial Engineering and Tourism (DEGEIT),University of Aveiro https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8997-1249
  • Martina Manzo Department of Economics and Statistic, University of Turin

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.34190/icgr.8.1.3495

Keywords:

gender, Relational Capital, food, innovation, startup

Abstract

This research explores the challenges small businesses face, such as limited resources and competitive pressures, emphasizing how intellectual capital (IC) plays a key role in fostering innovation. Intellectual capital is divided into human, structural, and relational capital (RC), with RC being particularly crucial for women-led startups. Open Innovation (OI) plays a vital role in helping small businesses manage external relationships and develop new business models. The Italian government has introduced legislation to promote innovative startups, but women still remain underrepresented in sectors like agri-food, which is deeply traditional and innovation-resistant. The research focuses on women-led innovative startups, highlighting the educational and financial gaps they face compared to male-led businesses. In particular, it explores three key questions: RQ1: Can RC help fill an educational and financial gap in WIS? RQ2: What kind of relationships mainly support WIS ? RQ3: How do these relationships affect their innovation process? The study uses a qualitative methodology and multiple case studies, applying the C.A.O.S model, which investigates the influence of personal, environmental, organizational, and startup motivations on entrepreneurial success. By focusing on women in the agri-food sector, the research provides new insights into the role of relational capital and formal relationships in female entrepreneurship. This study’s findings highlight the importance of family ties, education, and professional networks in overcoming gender-specific challenges in the entrepreneurial ecosystem. The study fills a gap in existing research by analyzing the qualitative aspects of relational capital in women’s innovative startups. It examines how women entrepreneurs leverage networks to navigate challenges and drive innovation, despite systemic barriers. The research can contribute to identify strategies to foster innovation among female entrepreneurs, contributing to economic growth and gender equality.

Author Biographies

Elisabeth Pereira, Department of Economics, Management, Industrial Engineering and Tourism (DEGEIT),University of Aveiro

Elisabeth T. Pereira is an Associate Professor at the Department of Economics, Management, Industrial Engineering and Tourism (DEGEIT), where she is Vice Director of the Doctoral program in Economics Sciences and Business, and Coordinator of the Dual Degree Master in Economics UA-VMU, and a Full Researcher at the research unit in Governance, Competitiveness and Public Policies (GOVCOPP), at the University of Aveiro, Portugal. She holds an MSc in Economics (University of Coimbra) and a PhD in Business and Economics Competitiveness (University of Aveiro). She was Chair of the Subject Committee of Economics and Business of Campus Europae – European University Foundation (2012-2016). She has been a Member and Chair of the Economics and Business panel of the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT).
She teaches at the undergraduate and graduate levels, namely Monetary Economics, Macroeconomics, International Economics, Economic Applied Studies, Introduction to Economics, Economics I and II, and Economics of SMEs. She has been a visiting professor in some European Universities. She has been a supervisor of national and international M.Sc.,PhD, and Pos-DocPhD theses.
She is author of several dozen articles published in international scientific journals indexed, book chapters, and institutional reports. She is also a reviewer of national and international journals. She is involved in several national and international projects, as coordinator and researcher, on competitiveness and innovation fields. She has been involved as coordinator and lecturer in several international summer schools, as well as chair and member of scientific committees at international conferences.

Martina Manzo, Department of Economics and Statistic, University of Turin

Martina Manzo is a Research Fellow at the University of Torino in Innovation, Circular Economy and Sustainable Mobility. She earned her Ph.D. in Governance and Management at the Business Studies Department of the University of Roma Tre with a title entitled “The role of Relational Capital in the innovation process of Women-led Innovative Startups”. Her research has been focused on: Intellectual Capital, Open Innovation, Knowledge Management, Female Entrepreneurship, Diversity Management and Social Sustainability. She is member of Ipazia, the SIDREA Scientific Observatory on Gender Studies. She is Adjunct Professor of Budgeting at the University of Roma Tre and of Startup and spin-off, at the Pegaso digital University. 

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Published

2025-04-04

Issue

Vol. 8 No. 1 (2025): Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Gender Research

Section

Academic Papers

License

Copyright (c) 2025 International Conference on Gender Research

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