Integrating multiple theoretical approaches to explore the resource mobilization process of community ventures

Purpose – Community ventures are likely to increase the well-being and attractiveness of local communities. Community entrepreneurs mobilize inhabitants to actively involve them in the development of the venture. To push local norms and practices, some entrepreneurs introduce external resources and impulses. Consequently, the resource mobilization process of community ventures is likely to involve a range of actors with different goals and demands. This study aims to play with four theoretical approaches to develop a multi-level, conceptual framework of the resource mobilization process. Moreover, the study discusses the role that gender may have in this process. Design/methodology/approach – A conceptual framework is proposed by integrating the resource dependence theory, entrepreneurial orientation, social embeddedness and legitimacy approaches. Findings – The author discusses how each of the four theoretical approaches can add new understanding to the resource mobilization process of community ventures. Integrating these approaches may enable the exploration of the role of community entrepreneurs, local communities and external environments in the resource mobilization process. Moreover, they enable the exploration of mechanisms that are likely to facilitate the process. The study also argues for including gender as a component of the framework and emphasizes a lack of knowledge about gender in community entrepreneurship research. Originality/value – This study provides a conceptual framework to be used in further, empirical research into the resource mobilization process of community ventures. Moreover, the study suggests several questions for further research about the role of gender in community entrepreneurship processes.