Gender Diversity and Performance in Family Small-to-Medium Business: Mapping and Clustering Bibliometric Networks

Over the past few years, firms have increasingly begun to consider inclusion and gender diversity as a source of competitive advantage and, in particular, as a key factor for growth. Prior literature has addressed the topics of gender diversity and performance in large and medium enterprises finding controversial results in this relationship. In this context, less attention has been paid to family SMEs and to exploring the key factors of such relationships. This article answers the call for a deeper understanding on women’s experience and role in family SMEs, supporting the claim to adopt new methodological research tools. Accordingly, this paper explores the connections between gender diversity in family SMEs and performance as reflected in established research, through a bibliometric analysis conducted on 125 articles published in the period 1999-2021. Keyword analysis reveals the existence of three independent clusters of research which can be traced back to the following three topics: Women’s involvement in Corporate Governance and Performance (Green Cluster), Women’s formal engagement in Family Business (Blue Cluster), and Female Ancillary Role (Red Cluster). In each of these clusters, it is possible to identify key aspects of women's profile within family SMEs. This study offers valuable results from both the academic and business perspectives. The bibliometric analysis carried out clearly illustrates the different stages of this field of study, as well as the emerging lines of research, which can be studied in greater depth.