Analysis of Innovation in Nigeria Small and Medium Enterprises: Implication for Economic Growth

The emergence of innovation in small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) is vital to achieve economic growth. Hence, product and technological innovations in attaining competitive advantage to achieve desired level of economic growth in Nigeria has recently emerged as one of the most significant subjects in the context of the common marketplace. This made it imperative for the study to conduct an Analysis of Innovation in Nigeria Small and Medium Enterprises: Implication for Economic Growth. The study utilized two objectives, research questions and hypotheses. Secondary data sourced from World Bank Development Database and SMEDAN (2018) on Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is used as proxy/measure of Economic Growth while SMEs Product Innovation Index (SPII) and SMEs Technological Innovation Index (STII) were used as proxy/measure of innovation in Nigeria SMEs being the independent variables. The study used the technique of regression analysis to determine the relationship between innovation in Nigeria SMEs and economic growth in Nigeria while probability statistic test was used to test the hypotheses. The study based on the results revealed that product innovation and technological innovation were positively related to economic growth in Nigeria within the study period. Hence, increased in product innovation and technological innovation had positive implication on economic growth in Nigeria. The study concluded that innovations in SMEs are catalysts for product and technological development towards achieving desired level of economic growth in Nigeria. The study therefore recommended that SMEs should ensure that product innovation is enhanced towards achieving the desired level of economic growth in Nigeria. Finally, SMEs should also make provision to improve technological innovation in order to boost economic growth in Nigeria.