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Copreneurial Women in startups: Growth-oriented or lifestyle? An aid for technology industry investors

Author

Listed:
  • Katherina Kuschel
  • María-Teresa Lepeley

    (School of Business and Economics, Universidad del Desarrollo)

Abstract

Purpose – Latin American investors are commonly suspicious of investing in copreneurial ventures (a male and female couple) integrated in working teams and show even higher levels of uncertainty when startups are led by a female founder. This paper addresses issues related to women as leaders in copreneurial tech ventures and analyzes whether these ventures are growth-oriented or conform to limited partnerships that merely meet women’s needs for a standard of living. Design/methodology/approach – A qualitative, inductive and constructive approach was needed for addressing the research question. Three copreneurial women and two divorced copreneurs were interviewed. A grounded theory approach was followed to analyze data, which identified emerging themes. Findings – Copreneurial teams in technology have similar and complementary high levels of education and skill development. After enough time working together, each partner is well aware of mutual skills and each other’s strengths, allowing them to identify their roles. Both divide work and family, and have developed a level of mutual trust that is essential to moving forward. They commonly show a workaholic tendency with a high rational underpinning. All of these factors strengthen collaboration, and in many instances this business liaison can remain intact despite a breakdown in a sentimental relationship. Additional findings show that their growth-orientation take multiple structures. Practical implications – This study conveys information that can help investors make decisions that support these copreneurial teams. Originality/value – Although representing an increasingly common type of startup team, copreneurs in technology have not yet been addressed as a specific sample in family business research.

Suggested Citation

  • Katherina Kuschel & María-Teresa Lepeley, 2015. "Copreneurial Women in startups: Growth-oriented or lifestyle? An aid for technology industry investors," Serie Working Papers 26, Universidad del Desarrollo, School of Business and Economics.
  • Handle: RePEc:dsr:wpaper:26
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Kathy J. Marshack, 1994. "Copreneurs and Dual-Career Couples: Are They Different?," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 19(1), pages 49-69, October.
    2. Rodrik, Dani, 2005. "Growth Strategies," Handbook of Economic Growth, in: Philippe Aghion & Steven Durlauf (ed.), Handbook of Economic Growth, edition 1, volume 1, chapter 14, pages 967-1014, Elsevier.
    3. Dwyer, Sean & Richard, Orlando C. & Chadwick, Ken, 2003. "Gender diversity in management and firm performance: the influence of growth orientation and organizational culture," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 56(12), pages 1009-1019, December.
    4. Linda A. Cyr & Diane E. Johnson & Theresa M. Welbourne, 2000. "Human Resources in Initial Public Offering Firms: Do Venture Capitalists Make a Difference?," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 25(1), pages 77-92, October.
    5. Clarysse, Bart & Moray, Nathalie, 2004. "A process study of entrepreneurial team formation: the case of a research-based spin-off," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 19(1), pages 55-79, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Katherina Kuschel & Kerstin Ettl & Cristina Díaz-García & Gry Agnete Alsos, 2020. "Stemming the gender gap in STEM entrepreneurship – insights into women’s entrepreneurship in science, technology, engineering and mathematics," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 16(1), pages 1-15, March.
    2. Mohd Yasir Arafat & Javed Ali & Amit Kumar Dwivedi & Imran Saleem, 2020. "Social and Cognitive Aspects of Women Entrepreneurs: Evidence from India," Vikalpa: The Journal for Decision Makers, , vol. 45(4), pages 223-239, December.
    3. Katherina Kuschel, 2019. "Women Founders in the Technology Industry: The Startup-Relatedness of the Decision to Become a Mother," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 9(2), pages 1-17, April.
    4. Campopiano, Giovanna & De Massis, Alfredo & Rinaldi, Francesca Romana & Sciascia, Salvatore, 2017. "Women’s involvement in family firms: Progress and challenges for future research," Journal of Family Business Strategy, Elsevier, vol. 8(4), pages 200-212.

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    Keywords

    entrepreneurship; copreneurs; new high-technology ventures; female founders; Latin America;
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