Gender-based Small Business Programming: The Case of the Women’s Enterprise Initiative

The incidence of, and controversy surrounding, gender-based small business training programs are both increasing. However, the nature and impact of these initiatives are not well documented. This empirical paper summarizes the findings of an evaluation of the impact of the Women’s Enterprise Initiative (WEI), a programthat seeks to foster the development of women-owned firms in Western Canada. Program assessment criteria included program effectiveness, strengths and weaknesses, job creation and retention, business survival, incrementality, and the facilitation of enterprise growth. The results suggest that men and women seek differenttypes of assistance with respect to business development. When compared to a control group of business owners, WEI clients and women business owners were more likely than males to prioritize intrinsic outcomes such as evaluation of entrepreneurial skills, building self-confidence, and improving strategic management skills. Conversely, male business owners prioritized operational skills such as helping to improve strategic management and identifying opportunities for growth

The efficacy of gender-based federal procurement policies in the United States

Because procurement policies are one means of redressing discrimination and economic exclusion, the United States government has targeted 23% of its annual half-trillion dollar spend to SMEs and 5% of its spend to women-owned businesses. This research studies the efficacy of various certifications, with particular reference to that of women-owned, on the frequency with which SMEs bid on, and succeed in obtaining, US federal procurement contracts. The research framework is informed by two theoretical paradigms, feminist empiricism and entrepreneurial feminism, and employs a secondary analysis of survey data of active federal contractors. Empirical findings inform the extent to which certifications are associated with bid frequency and bid success. The results indicate that none of the various certifications increase either bid frequency or bid success. The findings are consistent with entrepreneurial feminism and calls for federal accountability in contracting with women-owned supplier firms. Study recommendations complement research that has criticized US federal government policy with respect to women’s enterprise. The study findings have implications for other economies; emulation of US federal government procurement processes and practices are not supported. Recommendations include the need to review the impact of consolidated tenders on designated (as certified) SME vendors and to train procurement personnel about the economic contributions of women-owned businesses

Exporting as a Means of Growth for Women-owned Canadian SMEs

This study presents a profile of Canadian women-owned SME exporters and explores motives, challenges, export strategies and gender-related export issues that face women business owners. The results suggest that a majority of women exporters believe that gender plays a role in the operation and/or internationalization of their firm. Gender-specific barriers that may impede export activity included cultural and personal factors such as perceived lack of respect by male business owners, bravado, chauvinism, not being taken seriously, businessmen who refuse to do business with a woman, and verification of decisions through male employees. The findings form the basis of recommendations for further research and program review for government policy makers and practitioners