This research responds to calls for studies aimed at developing a more nuanced understanding of women small business owners' networking behaviours and structures. The study examined whether business start-up motivations and phase of the business (prestart-up, start-up and established) influenced women's networking behaviours and structures. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 28 women. Interview data were used to categorise participants into classic, forced, and work-family owners. Analysis of the interviews found no marked differences in networking behaviours and network structures of participants during prestart-up phase. During start-up and established phases differences began to emerge. Given that classic and forced owners had established their businesses for financial reasons, a diverse network was more relevant for them. However, work-family participants established the business for family/work balance, thus a small network of close ties was sufficient to achieve their business goals. Theoretical, practical and research implications of the findings are outlined.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between the networks and networking behaviour of women small business owners (SBOs) and business/owner characteristics including: industry sector, industry experience, educational background, and family responsibilities. These are some of the most common factors influencing women's businesses as identified by the literature. The chosen methodology was case study, which included a variety of data sources: observations, questionnaires, and interviews. Initial analysis of the data from the interviews and observations has shown that industry sector, industry experience, and family responsibilities directly impacts types of networks and networking behaviour of women SBOs. Whereas education or training programs in the same field as the participant's business, does not directly influence their networking behaviour.

Purpose This study aims to investigate the uptake and usage patterns of information and communication technologies (ICTs) by women small business owners (SBOs). Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 women SBOs who were recruited through purposeful sampling methods. Interview data on communication technologies participants used were broken down into six main categories: internet search, internet advertising, online transactions, telephone, email and fax. Participants were also asked questions regarding proximity between them and different business contacts, and whether technology influenced how they communicated with these individuals. Findings All participants had moved up from having a basic website to transacting goods and services online. ICTs were used to acquire tangible and intangible resources as well as for informal learning. Geographical distance between SBOs and individuals within their business and convenience of ICT failed to affect participants’ preference for face-to-face communication with key business contacts. Research limitations/implications This study has limitations that tend to be commonly found in exploratory studies, such as a small sample size. However, the findings lay the groundwork for future quantitative studies that examine the potential influence of other factors, such as gender and culture, on adoption of ICT by SBOs. Originality/value This study responds to a call for research that develops a more nuanced understanding of how women SBOs use ICTs in their business. The findings can be used by policymakers and development agencies in their teaching and training interventions.

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to develop an understanding of factors that impinge on managerial decision-making processes regarding employee access to structured training and development (T&D) opportunities that are at least partially funded by the firm. Design/methodology/approach -Semi-structured interviews incorporating the Critical Incident Technique (CIT) were conducted with 14 managers of medium-sized enterprises based in Perth, Western Australia. The interviews explored decisions managers have actually made regarding employee access to T&D and yielded 42 useable critical incidents that served as the unit of analysis. Findings -There were three key findings: first, employee access to T&D was initiated primarily by managers; employees did not exhibit developmental proactivity. Regulatory requirements and performance deficits were the main factors triggering T&D. Second, decisions regarding employee access to T&D were influenced by a wider range of factors than the decision making factors that commonly feature in literature that discusses "barriers" to T&D in SMEs. Third, decision makers tended to neglect the evaluation phase of the decision making process and engaged in post-decisional justification.Research limitations/implications -The study holds a number of lessons that are based on an analysis of the authors' experiences of using the CIT. The lessons are potentially important for researchers who will be using the technique to study similar topics in the years ahead. Originality/value -This study addresses the lack of research into factors that affect managers' decisions when they consider providing employee access to firm-sponsored structured T&D opportunities. It also assesses the effectiveness of the CIT as a tool for studying managerial decision-making processes regarding employee access to T&D opportunities.