Women Entrepreneurs' Networks and Innovation: Multiple Cases of Food Manufacturing Industry

The purpose of this study is to explore the social network that lead to innovation among women entrepreneurs (WE) in small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs). This paper is to identify the most important networks that helped WE in business deal and determine the way networks contribute to innovation in entrepreneurs’ businesses. Insights were derived through a qualitative, in-depth, interview-based study of five WE operating Food Manufacturing Industry in Selangor. There is an urgent need to explore the social network that lead to innovation among WE. Moreover, with complex social phenomenon where relationships of entrepreneurs is prominent, this method is the most suitable to uncover the scenario. Interviews conducted with WE Bumiputera (Indigenous) of small manufacturing of food and beverages firms located in Selangor. Hence, the findings indicate that these micro-entrepreneurs have successfully innovate their business, with the helped by two main networks that become their strong supporter that are Personal Network and Business Network. In addition, this paper reveal the reasons entrepreneurs were not involved in all networks at once. Besides, they provide explanations for not being involved in the other three networks, which are Professional, Reputation, Competition Network, and Community Network. Therefore, from the ideas, comments, and supports from both main network, they have been successful in creating product innovation, process innovation and marketing innovation but not being able to make organizational innovation. Finally, this study provide recommendations to SMEs, government agencies and future researchers.