Identifying the Needs for Business Development Service: A Survey in Chinese SMEs

In order to specify the nature of business service market, it is important to understand the needs of (small) firms and how these are currently being addressed. This paper investigates the market for business development services (BDS) in three cities in China (Lanzhou, Chengdu and Shenzhen), from a small business perspective. The data on which the paper is drawn from surveys of small businesses (around 400-500 in each city) and BDS providers (90-200 in each city) designed and organised by the authors in Chengdu, Lanzhou and Shenzhen between November 2005 and March 2006. The findings will enable policy measures to be designed that meet the needs of businesses