Client perceptions about women-focused business development programs and the implications for entrepreneurship policy

There is little research about the influence of gender on knowledge acquisition through small business training or user perceptions of women-focused advisory services. This study documents the views of 212 clients of a Canadian womenfocused small business Centre with respect to motives of program usage and perceived differences between women-focused and other small business services. Rationales for women-focused programming are considered. This exploratory study informs the development a large-scale research program that will examine further women-focused and non-gendered small business policies and programs.