The study, from the Centre for Women's Enterprise, at the University of Bedfordshire, looks at the way women develop and maintain social capital, and its effect on their businesses. Key findings from the report included the following:

• Social capital is more than just about networking, it is also about building and maintaining networks.


• Women entrepreneurs should think beyond local, regional and professional networks and should think strategically about joining such groups.


• Social capital can help to speed up the growth of female-owned businesses

The research is available to read in part or in full from the Centre for Women's Enterprise website.