FACTORS INFLUENCING THE DIFFUSION OF PRODUCTS FROM SELECTED TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL COLLEGES IN SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA

Abstract

This paper contributes to innovation studies by explicating the factors influencing the diffusion of products from selected technical and vocational colleges (TVCs) in Southwestern Nigeria. Two sets of questionnaire were designed and deployed
for the study. A total of three hundred (300) copies of questionnaire were administered on 150 purposively selected students and 150 key instructors purposively selected from TVCs in Southwestern Nigeria. The statistical analyses used in this study were means, factor analysis and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). The study concluded that from the perspective of instructors; lack of interest for local products, lack of access to finance, incessant power failure and lack of awareness of the TVC products were factors influencing the diffusion of products from the selected TVCs in Southwestern Nigeria. However, from the perspective
of students; lack of access to finance, and incessant power failure were influencing the factors. The study recommends that TVCs that want to improve the level of diffusion of their products need to prioritize addressing issues such as lack of
interest for local products from the end users, lack of access to finance, incessant power failure and lack of awareness of their products. Suggested strategies include product exhibition and utilizing angel investors for the products of TVCs among others.