Article: What drives innovation? Inferences from an industry-wide survey in Nigeria Journal: International Journal of Technology Management (IJTM) 2009 Vol.45 No.1/2 pp.123 - 140 Abstract: This paper seeks to make some contributions to the literature on firm-level innovation in Africa by attempting to identify the significant factors that explain the capability of firms in Nigeria to innovate using the results of an industry-wide study. We focused on the product and process innovation activities of firms between 2003 and 2006 and found differences in the factors that drive them at the firm level. Our results further show that interactions matter more than most innovation-related variables and that the most important actors that influence a firm|s innovation efforts are its customers and suppliers. We conclude that product and process innovations are not mutually exclusive and that a major key to successful innovation is how and with whom a firm collaborates. The implication of this for firms and policymakers is that an effectively wired innovation system where all stakeholders are active is critical for firm-level innovation capability. Inderscience Publishers - linking academia, business and industry through research

Title: What drives innovation? Inferences from an industry-wide survey in Nigeria

Authors: A.A. Egbetokun, W.O. Siyanbola, M. Sanni, O.O. Olamade, A.A. Adeniyi, I.A. Irefin

Addresses: National Centre for Technology Management, (Federal Ministry of Science and Technology), PMB 012, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. ' National Centre for Technology Management, (Federal Ministry of Science and Technology), PMB 012, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. ' National Centre for Technology Management, (Federal Ministry of Science and Technology), PMB 012, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. ' National Centre for Technology Management, (Federal Ministry of Science and Technology), PMB 012, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. ' Technology Planning and Development Unit, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. ' Technology Planning and Development Unit, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

Abstract: This paper seeks to make some contributions to the literature on firm-level innovation in Africa by attempting to identify the significant factors that explain the capability of firms in Nigeria to innovate using the results of an industry-wide study. We focused on the product and process innovation activities of firms between 2003 and 2006 and found differences in the factors that drive them at the firm level. Our results further show that interactions matter more than most innovation-related variables and that the most important actors that influence a firm|s innovation efforts are its customers and suppliers. We conclude that product and process innovations are not mutually exclusive and that a major key to successful innovation is how and with whom a firm collaborates. The implication of this for firms and policymakers is that an effectively wired innovation system where all stakeholders are active is critical for firm-level innovation capability.

Keywords: product innovation; process innovation; drivers; manufacturing industry; Nigeria; determinants; collaboration; firm-level innovation capability.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.2009.021524

International Journal of Technology Management, 2009 Vol.45 No.1/2, pp.123 - 140

Published online: 30 Nov 2008 *

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Title: What drives innovation? Inferences from an industry-wide survey in Nigeria

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