Knowledge Transfer as a Driver of Innovative Performance of SMEs in Lagos State

Abstract

Purpose: The ability to disseminate knowledge in the presence of innovation and capability in businesses creates an advantage over other businesses. Most SMEs do not implement formal tools to protect and share needed knowledge, which makes knowledge transfer difficult.
 Design/Method/Approach: Quantitative research was adopted. With over eleven (11) thousand registered SMEs in Lagos State and using Yamane’s formula, a total of 386 respondents formed the sample size for this study.
 Findings: The study established a positive significance of social networking, mentorship and research and development for innovation performance. However, training revealed no impact on innovation performance which further established that most SMEs operators in Nigeria usually improve business skills through apprenticeship instead of an organized training to transfer knowledge.
 Theoretical Implications: The absorptive capacity theory was adopted to explain the importance of enriching organizational learning by the acquisition of diverse knowledge from different sources to enhance capabilities. It also depicts the impact of technological innovation performance through general abilities of an individual.
 Practical Implications: The study emphasized that the survival and competitiveness of any business entity in an evolving global environment is dependent on its implementation of continuous innovative improvements through knowledge transfer, but of all knowledge transfer methods, training is the least used method by business owners.
 Originality/Value: This paper assesses the significance of knowledge transfer as a driver of innovation performance in Nigerian SMEs using such methods as training, mentorship, research and development and social networking employed by SMEs.
 Research Limitations/Future Research: One major limitation to the study was the inability and unwillingness of SMEs owners and managers to fill in a questionnaire.
 Paper Type: Empirical
 JEL Classification: M10, M13