Gaining legitimacy through proactive stakeholder management: The experiences of high-tech women entrepreneurs in Russia

Natalia Vershinina, Peter Rodgers*, Shlomo Tarba, Zaheer Khan, Peter Stokes

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

43 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In this article, we offer insights into the critical role played by stakeholder relationships for female-owned high-technology firms in their pursuit of the legitimacy they need to acquire the resources that, in turn, will lead to sustainable innovation and firm growth. By reporting the findings drawn from interviews conducted with Russian female business owners, we showcase how, being faced with the liabilities of smallness and newness—which are further exacerbated by gender-associated liabilities—these entrepreneurs develop strategies suited to assist their entrepreneurial ventures. Within the nascent high-technology global sphere, these female entrepreneurs develop legitimacy for their ventures abroad by accessing external international stakeholders, which leads them to securing much-needed financial and knowledge resources. In addition, their ties with international stakeholders enable them to gain legitimacy among internal Russian stakeholders, thus further enhancing the innovation and performance of their ventures.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)111-121
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Business Research
Volume119
Early online date11 Jan 2019
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2020

Keywords

  • Global networks
  • High technology sector
  • Innovation management
  • Institutions
  • Legitimacy
  • Russia
  • Stakeholder relationships
  • Women entrepreneurs

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