VALUE CHAIN AND PRODUCT INNOVATION IN PALM OIL INDUSTRY IN ANAMBRA STATE

Abstract

This research center on evaluation of effect of value chain on Product innovation in palm oil industry in Anambra was based on objectives which were to examine the effect of customer focus on Product innovation in palm oil industry in Anambra, evaluate the effect of R&D management on Product innovation in palm oil industry in Anambra, assess the effect of process management on Product innovation in palm oil industry in Anambra and determine the effect of supply management on Product innovation in palm oil industry in Anambra. A cross-sectional survey research design was employed. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM), using SMART-PLS was selected to investigate the effect of value chain on Product innovation in palm oil industry in Anambra. Data was collected through questionnaire from a sample of 265 Palm oil growers in Abuja. The finding shows that there is a positive significant effect of customer focus, R&D management, process management and supply management on Product innovation in palm oil industry in Anambra. It is recommended that, Palm Oil Growers should engage actively in customer focus, Palm Oil Growers should engage actively in R&D management, Palm Oil Growers should engage actively in process management and Palm Oil Growers should engage actively in borrowing from supply management. This will help them to easily improve their product innovation which will in turn lead to performance of their firms.