The Challenges of Research and Development (R&D) Efforts: A Study of Small-to-Medium Industries (SMIs) in Abia State, Nigeria

Abstract

This article is on the Challenges of Research and Development (R & D) Efforts on Small-to-Medium scale Industries (SMIs) in Abia State, Nigeria. The survey findings include: that SMIs in Abia State have no R & D activities going on in their firms; their production techniques are both manual and machine operated; they only produce light and consumer – oriented goods; operating below installed capacity, have no relationship with any research institute in the country; have no technical partners; and are technically and technologically dependent the result of all these is that SMIs in Abia State cannot compete effectively both nationally and globally. Based on these findings, the paper made far reaching recommendations in aid of a vibrant research and developments activities by SMIs, the organized private sector (OPS) and government owned research institutes, all to the benefit of the Nigerian economy.
Key words: Small-to-Medium Industries (SMIs); Research and Development (R & D); Commercialization; Mode of operation; Capacity utilization; Technological dependence; Challenges