வணிகம் மற்றும் பொருளாதார இதழ்

Performance Effectiveness of Technology Incubation in Nigeria

Abstract

Evelyn Azih and Eno L Inanga

Evaluating the performance effectiveness of a Technology Incubation Centre in Nigeria, and most importantly, determining the causes of increasing failure rate of graduated entrepreneurs have been ignored by many studies. This study measures the performance effectiveness of TIC on the development of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises in Nigeria. The study aims at identifying how a selection of simple processes and techniques by TIC can support the growth and development of businesses during and after incubation looking at the lack of continuity in business of most entrepreneurs after incubation programme in Lagos Nigeria. The sample for this study consisted of 30 graduated entrepreneurs selected randomly for a period of 15 years. Questionnaires, In-dept-interviews, participant observation, descriptive statistics, and the balanced score card, were adopted in data collection and subsequently, the analysis. The results indicated that, out of the eight variables tested, (Technology transfer program, information symmetry, networking and mentoring, physical space and other facilities, monitoring and reporting, advertisement and promotion, collaboration and benchmarking and fund raising),seven were ineffective while only one showed effectiveness. The study reveals that though some support services are put on ground for the running of the program at TIC, the problem lies with the implementation. Recommendations were made on the ineffective variables highlighted for further improvement and suggestions for further research made.