Technological Innovation Sources and Institutional Supports for Manufacturing Small and Medium Enterprises in Nigeria

Authors

  • Isaac Oluwajoba Abereijo Centre for Industrial Research and Development, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria
  • Stephen Akinade Adegbite Centre for Industrial Research and Development, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria
  • Matthew Oluwagbemiga Ilori Technology Planning and Development Unit, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
  • A. A. Adeniyi Technology Planning and Development Unit, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria
  • Helen Aderemi National Centre for Technology Management, Federal Ministry of Science & Technology, Abuja, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4067/S0718-27242009000200007

Keywords:

technological innovation, manufacturing SMEs, innovation sources, institutional supports.

Abstract

The study examined the technological innovation sources, the relevance of these sources as well as institutional supports and their significance to the innovativeness of small and medium manufacturing enterprises (SMEs) in Southwestern Nigeria. The data for the study were collected through questionnaire and interview schedule from a sample of 100 manufacturing SMEs. The results reveal that the key information sources for innovation among these companies are customers; suppliers of equipment and machinery; seminars, training and conferences; market research and business associations. None of the external inputs that the companies needed for internal learning and innovation come from government agencies. The results suggest the urgent need for enterprise-oriented technology transfer from public funded R&D institutions to link the science and technology system with small and medium enterprises production units. Similarly, the SMEs associations should be strengthened to provide opportunities for their members to continuously learn about new technology developments and opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of enterprises in the sector.

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Author Biographies

Isaac Oluwajoba Abereijo, Centre for Industrial Research and Development, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria

Centre for Industrial Research and Development (CIRD) Industrial Management Consultant I

Stephen Akinade Adegbite, Centre for Industrial Research and Development, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria

Centre for Industrial Research and Development (CIRD) Industrial Management Consultant I

Matthew Oluwagbemiga Ilori, Technology Planning and Development Unit, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Technology Planning and Development Unit (TPDU) Professor

A. A. Adeniyi, Technology Planning and Development Unit, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Technology Planning and Development Unit (TPDU) Senior Lecturer

Helen Aderemi, National Centre for Technology Management, Federal Ministry of Science & Technology, Abuja, Nigeria

National Centre for Technology Management, Federal Ministry of Science & Technology, Abuja, Nigeria Research Officer II

References

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Published

2009-07-21

How to Cite

Abereijo, I. O., Adegbite, S. A., Ilori, M. O., Adeniyi, A. A., & Aderemi, H. (2009). Technological Innovation Sources and Institutional Supports for Manufacturing Small and Medium Enterprises in Nigeria. Journal of Technology Management & Innovation, 4(2), 82–89. https://doi.org/10.4067/S0718-27242009000200007

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Section

Research Articles