Justification of the topic:

The study of entrepreneurial social networks has been recognized as crucial in the entrepreneurial process, as well as in the success of the businesses. Since the 1990s, there has been a special interest in researching social networks focused on gender, and considering its relevance, this topic is still very current.

Objectives:

The aim of this study is to analyze how social networks are used by female entrepreneurs in the of new business creation process. It specifically aims to identify the types of bonds that are used by female entrepreneurs in their social networks in the stages of conception, start-up and business consolidation and verify how these social networks influence in obtaining resources.

Methodology/Design:

The research strategy adopted is the multiple case study and evidences were collected through semi-structured personal interviews with seven entrepreneurs of micro and small travel agencies. The cases were described individually and followed by a comparative analysis to examine their similarities and differences.

Results and Originality of the Document:

The study shows that the strong bonds were the most used by entrepreneurs mainly in the conception stage. Furthermore, it also shows that that previous experience was very important in the identification of the opportunity and ability to build diverse networks.

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