A research to evaluate the provision of business development services and information offred by Zambia Chamber and medium Business Association (ZCSMBA) to small and Medium scale women entrepreneurs in Lusaka

This is research to evaluate the provision of business development services and information offered by Zambia Chamber of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises(ZCSMBA) to women entrepreneurs in Lusaka. The study aimed at assessing the information needs of the users, obtaining the perception of the users on the performance of ZCSMBA, Assessing the impact of the services and to identify problems that hinder the effective dissemination of information.The study used a simple random sampling method and a sample size of thirty (30) respondents. In addition it used open and closed ended questionnaires as data collection instruments. The findings revealed that the information needs of the women sampled in the study were, access to capital, market opportunities, legal advice and latest machinery. In addition, in obtaining the perception of the respondents on the performance of ZCSMBA, it was discovered that the majority said it was good and very good (56%) while 37% said it was bad and very bad. It was also found that the obstacles that hinder the respondents from accessing the information were that of information offered by the organization being obsolete, it not being suitable for their information needs, respondents not being able to read and bottlenecks in the flow of information from ZCSMBA to the respondents created by leaders in the organizations they belong to such as Women Entrepreneurship Development Agency (WEDAZ).In conclusion, it was discovered that the lack of information in business is the major obstacle in business development among the respondents and that ZCSMBA has not been fully utilized as an organization the provides this information. Lastly the recommendations made were for the organization to increase sensitization on its operations and services, make information accessible and for government to adequately fund the organization.