Title: Learning to innovate in Nigeria's cable and wire manufacturing subsector: inferences from a firm-level case study

Authors: A.A. Egbetokun, W.O. Siyanbola, A.A. Adeniyi

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

Abstract: Firm performance is known to be connected to firm-level innovation capability. Innovation capability, in turn, is an output of technological learning. This paper evaluates technological learning among firms in the cable and wire manufacturing subsector in Nigeria, using a case firm. We developed a model of the relationship between the innovative activities of the firm – as evidence of its capability – and its knowledge acquisition methodology. These are discussed within the context of the firm|s stock of human capital. We found low technological innovation capability and high capability for organisational and marketing innovation. Preparedness for technological learning is relatively poor with a staff training intensity of 5% and an innovation intensity of 0.0075%. We therefore propose stronger interconnectedness between the National Innovation System and the creation of industry-specific structures that could enhance learning.

Keywords: technological learning; innovation capability; innovation intensity; sub-sector; cable and wire manufacturing; actors; Nigeria; knowledge acquisition; staff training.

DOI: 10.1504/IJLIC.2010.029534

International Journal of Learning and Intellectual Capital, 2010 Vol.7 No.1, pp.55 - 74

Published online: 30 Nov 2009 *

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