Research

1. Procurement Strategies to Support Women-owned Enterprises
conducted on behalf of WEConnect Canada
Primary author: Barbara Orser, M.B.A., Ph.D., President & Founder, Canada Works Ltd.
Contributing author: Julie R. Weeks, M.A,. President & CEO, Womenable


Summary
The purpose of this report is to encourage discussion about government procurement strategy by informing WEConnect Canada, community partners and governments about the constraints and opportunities of public procurement for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and in particular women-owned enterprises. It presents a summary of research about SME engagement in public procurement and recommends strategies to increase women-owned enterprises understanding about, and access to, government contract opportunities.

Among the conclusions:

	Strategic SME procurement policy is an under-utilized mechanism to enhance supplier diversity and, hence, Canadian competitiveness.
	Supplying to government is a key market development opportunity for many women-owned enterprises. Many are growth-oriented and increasingly engaged in global trade. However, many SMEs are not familiar with government procurement and how to best enter.
	There appears to be limited knowledge within the Canadian bureaucracy about SME procurement initiatives.
	Relative to the US and UK, Canada has lost ground with respect to SME procurement policies as instruments to support the growth of women-owned enterprises.

2. Women Owned Businesses in the Supply Chain, an article by Sharon Castillo, Principal, SB Services, Inc.

For more information, contact info@weconnectcanada.org.