Title: Determinants of productivity and inter-firm collaboration in Nigerian Clusters

Authors: Boladale O. Abiola Adebowale; Banji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka

Addresses: National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM), Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State PMB 012, Nigeria ' United Nations University-MERIT, Monitoring and Research Division, UNHABITAT, P.O. Box 30030 00100, UNU Gigiri, Room No. 330, Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract: Interactive learning is the touchstone of innovation while the strength of actors constitutes the capacity of each node of the system; however, very few studies exist on a quantitative measure of these interactions. This paper provides evidence on the microeconomic processes of interactive learning showing the key roles of human capital in current productivity of firms, their broad collaboration mechanisms and actions of state agencies in firm performance. Horizontal relationship between suppliers, traders and subcontractors is regularly formed in clusters. Education of owners, skill of workers and past productivity records are the key determinants of firm-level productivity.

Keywords: productivity determinants; Nigerian clusters; incremental innovation; inter-firm collaboration; interactive learning; Nigeria; quantitative measures; microeconomic processes; microeconomics; human capital; collaboration mechanisms; state agencies; firm performance; suppliers; traders; subcontractors; education; owners; skills; workers; productivity records; firm-level productivity; technology; globalisation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTG.2012.048319

International Journal of Technology and Globalisation, 2012 Vol.6 No.3, pp.188 - 205

Received: 30 Nov 2009
Accepted: 12 Nov 2010
Published online: 31 Oct 2014 *

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