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

Citation

Arshed N, Marin Cadavid C & Knox S (2026) An interactional framing approach to the design and delivery of export support for women entrepreneurs. International Small Business Journal: Researching Entrepreneurship. https://doi.org/10.1177/02662426261437999

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.

Keywords
enterprise policy; women's entrepreneurship; exporting; internationalism; framing

Journal
International Small Business Journal: Researching Entrepreneurship

• Arshed Et Al. (2026) An-interactional-framing-approach-to-the-design-and-delivery-of-export-support-for-women-entrepreneurs