An Exploratory Study of University Entrepreneurship Centres in

Canada: A First Step in Model Building1

Teresa V. Menzies
Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario

Abstract

Universities are playing an increasingly important role in

entrepreneurship development. This paper reports the results of an
exploratory study of entrepreneurship centres in Canada. These
centres are part of the support mechanism for entrepreneurship
development. A 97% response rate was achieved for the questionnaire
utilized in this study. A dominant focus/foci model is developed based
on the analysis of findings. Centres were found to focus most on
students and established business, and less on nurturing new venture
development and research. Research questions regarding rationale for
centre activities, funding sources and evaluation of centres are
proposed.

1The author gratefully acknowledges the funding provided for this

study by the John Dobson Foundation.