Networking and career success: analysing social capital in formal female networks

2025/11/17 by Freya Grimme, Britta Wittner, Simone Kauffeld

paper · doi:10.1108/jmd-01-2025-0017

crossref created 2025/11/14 · crossref issued 2025/11/17 · crossref published 2025/11/17 · crossref published-online 2025/11/17 · crossref deposited 2026/03/27 · crossref published-print 2026/03/30 · crossref indexed 2026/08/05

Abstract

Purpose Formal female networks (FFNs) counteract exclusion in male-dominated professional networks. Evaluating their effectiveness requires an understanding of their social capital and network structures. This study therefore explores the role of social capital in FFNs and its impact on their members’ career success. Design/methodology/approach Ego-centred network maps (n = 50) and quantitative questionnaires (n = 140) were triangulated to explore FFNs in the culture sector, examining how women’s networking behaviour and FFN membership impact network structures, social support and subjective career success. Findings The findings suggest that women’s networking behaviour predicts their subjective career success. Women with higher extraversion and agreeableness engage in more networking. Social network analysis revealed that women accumulate social capital through network degree and density and that networking behaviour correlates with strong ties in qualitative network maps and increases social support from FFNs. However, while strong ties in FFNs are linked to greater social support, they do not directly explain the variance in subjective career success. This highlights the challenges women face in mobilising their accumulated social capital. Research limitations/implications This study’s approach offers valuable insights, encouraging future research to explore its findings using a longitudinal design for stronger causal inferences. Practical implications The findings underscore the importance of FFNs in providing social support for women in male-dominated professions while highlighting the need to engage in strategic networking. Originality/value Previous research has largely overlooked how social capital is accumulated and mobilised within FFNs and how it affects career success. By using triangulated data, this study offers deeper insights into the structures and outcomes of FFNs.

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