Women‐focused small business programming

Client motives and perspectives

Bibliographic Data

ID12928010
AuthorsBrenda Orser (0000-0001-7434-6141, University of Ottawa, corresponding author), Catherine Elliott (0000-0003-0261-2281, University of Ottawa), Sandi Findlay‐Thompson (Mount Saint Vincent University)
Year2012
Volume4
Issue3
Pages236-265
Publication date2012-09-18
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Gender and Entrepreneurship (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1756-6266 • E-ISSN: 1756-6274
PublisherEmerald Publishing Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1108/17566261211264145
OpenAlexW2075922279
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited28

Purpose The purpose of this study is to draw on feminist ethics of care theory to examine motives for accessing a women‐focused, small business programme (Centre). Perceived differences between women‐focused and other small business advisory agencies are discussed. Design/methodology/approach An online survey captured verbatim responses from 212 respondents. Qualitative data were subjected to content analysis using NVivo8. Findings Most respondents were growth‐oriented, well educated and employed prior to start‐up. Clients employed the Centre for three reasons, including acquisition of managerial, social capital and gender‐related motives. The Centre was perceived as being “different” to other agencies such that staff implicitly understood their needs as businesswomen, services were targeted specifically to women and clients felt empowered and comfortable seeking business advice in an inviting, low risk learning environment. Findings contradict studies and argument that targeted (gender‐based) programming offers few advantages. Research limitations/implications Future research might investigate how “gendered” client motives and learning needs are reflected in mainstream and gender‐based entrepreneurship policy and programme design. The geographic scope is limited to Nova Scotia (eastern Canada). Practical implications The study helps to explain observations that women‐focused small business training centres are modifying mandates from a focus on start‐up to growth, modifications that reflected client aspirations. Originality/value The study provides insights about the genderedness (Calás and Smircich) of small business programming and helps to define feminine ethics of care within the small firm training context

Argument (complex analysis · Business · Context (archaeology · Entrepreneurship · Mainstream · Originality · Political science · Public relations · Qualitative research · Small business · Social science · Sociology · Value (mathematics · Entrepreneurship Studies and Influences · Family Business Performance and Succession · Gender Diversity and Inequality · Medicine · Psychology · Marketing

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