Impact of social capital on business performance women entrepreneurs in the food sector: the moderating role of national culture

PurposeThe role of women entrepreneurs in the food industry is becoming increasingly significant, as this sector is dynamic and competitive. This study seeks to enhance theoretical comprehension by assessing the role of social capital on business performance through mediating role of network resources and moderating role of national culture.Design/methodology/approachThe researchers have employed a cross-sectional causal design for this analysis. This research methodology enables us to examine the intricate interrelationships among several variables in the domain of female entrepreneurs in the food industry. The study included 403 female entrepreneurs actively engaged in the food industry.FindingsThe results indicate that a firm's internal and external social capital investments positively influence network resource acquisition. In addition, network resource acquisition positively affects business performance in women-led food enterprises and mediates the relationship between social capital and business performance. Moreover, national culture moderates the association between social capital and business performance.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is limited by its narrow focus on the food sector industry and its restriction to the geographic location of India, hence reducing its generalizability.Originality/valueThis study significantly contributes to the existing body of knowledge in entrepreneurship and social network research. This study deviates from previous research by introducing a strategic intermediate variable called network resource acquisition between social capital and business performance. Moreover, the moderating role of national culture, which has been understudied in previous works, has also been examined in the proposed research framework.