An interactional framing approach to the design and delivery of export support for women entrepreneurs

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Arshed, Norin and Marin Cadavid, Carolina and Knox, Stephen (2026) An interactional framing approach to the design and delivery of export support for women entrepreneurs. International Small Business Journal. ISSN 0266-2426 (https://doi.org/10.1177/02662426261437999)

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Abstract

Drawing on the theory of interactional framing, this study explores the institutional mechanisms shaping export support for women entrepreneurs. Focusing on Scotland, we adopt a qualitative single-case study design, based on semi-structured interviews with 35 participants, including enterprise agencies, support organisations, and women entrepreneurs (exporters and non-exporters) and by analysing policy documents. Our findings analyse two dominant frames: a gender-neutral frame assuming one-size-fits-all support and a gender-sensitive frame addressing women’s specific needs. We theorise how these frames are constructed and sustained through framing work and identify four mechanisms that show how frames are institutionalised: maintaining frame dominance, institutional distancing, frame plurality, and internal reframing. This research contributes to the women’s enterprise policy literature by showing the micro-level dynamics that act to shape enterprise support delivery. It also offers practical insights into how more inclusive institutions can be facilitated by bridging dominant and gender-sensitive frames, thus helping to reduce systemic barriers and enhance women’s access to global markets.

ORCID iDs

Arshed, Norin ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6775-1840, Marin Cadavid, Carolina ORCID logoORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0053-1253 and Knox, Stephen;
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)