Ricerc@Sapienza

This paper aims at analysing how relational capital (RC) contributes to the born of women enterprises in Italian small and medium enterprises (SMEs). In this way, this research is supported by a qualitative research methodology using a multiple case study (Yin 2009) comparing a small female enterprise and a small man enterprise to point out their characteristics and differences. Thus, the paper applies the CAOS model of micro-entrepreneurship by Paoloni (2011).

The company Strategic Formula (SF) is a theoretical business model. The SF defines the strategic profile of the firm by considering two different strategic front: the Internal strategic front, defined by the choices on corporate governance, on organizational structure, on operating processes and on strategic resources and the External strategic front, defined by the choices in real markets, capital markets, social context. Both the internal and the external strategic fronts are strictly related by systemic and dynamic bidirectional relationships.