The C.A.O.S. Model

In recent years women have been the protagonists of an economic and social phenomenon that has dramatically changed the working environment. Subsequently, studies have mainly focussed on trying to understand whether being a woman is a genuine resource with regards to possible competitive advantages, management style, the organization of the company, and its internal and external relations. The aim of this publication is to share previous research on this issue of the female entrepreneurial experience, looking into the role of networks and relational capital. The analysis is focused on the start-up phase in particular, with the aim of understanding the nature of the relationships that female entrepreneurs manage to nurture. In this way, we intend to find out exactly what type of person they seek out, to identi- fy the kind of contribution that these relationships make to the business, and how they impact on opportunities for success. In essence, we are trying to establish whether said opportunities are temporary or whether they will stand the test of time, as they must also meet the needs of women’s businesses in the later stages of their life cycle.