Enhancing small-business competitiveness in Nigeria through public-private partnerships in cluster development
Date
2017-03
Authors
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Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH SUMMARY : This study looks at the enhancement of small- and medium-enterprise competitiveness in Nigeria through public and private partnerships in cluster developments. The overall objective of the study was to identify ways in which small-business clusters can play significant roles in enhancing the competitiveness and growth of small businesses in Nigeria. More specific objectives were to identify ways in which clustering processes in Nigeria can be accelerated and strengthened, and to identify ways collaborative partnerships in cluster developments can help accelerate the performance of clusters and enhance small-business growth and competitiveness in Nigeria. The findings indicate a pattern of global best practices being adopted in cluster experiences found in different countries of Europe, Asia, Latin America and Africa, which have helped to accelerate the growth and competitiveness of small businesses. The best practices include a bottom-up approach to cluster development, focusing on regional diversities and competitive advantages, an effective collaborative structure of public-private partnerships, the linkage of cluster programmes to countries’ economic-development policy, participatory action plans for cluster development partners and the use of SPVs as collaborative tools for cluster development management. Nigerian clustering experiences, designed to address the challenges inhibiting small-business growth and competitiveness, have been found to be incoherent and lacking basic characteristics of cluster best practices. There is no articulate cluster policy, which defines the general pattern of cluster development in Nigeria, as cluster planning and development are not linked to any existing economicdevelopment agenda of the government. Yet there are currently prevalent patterns of inactive or passive roles of both private- and public-sector institutions in cluster development. This has largely limited the flow of institutional support to existing clusters and has affected negatively the quality of infrastructural, financial and other support provisions needed to boost the efficiency of the clusters. Co-ordinated public-private partnership interaction is urgently needed to boost cluster dynamism and competitiveness. The study has developed a cluster-building model that is anchored on public-private partnership interaction in Nigeria, based on the combination of international best practices as well as economic and socio-political factors peculiar to Nigeria. The model encapsulates the diversity of cluster players and their roles in a focused public-private partnership engagement in cluster planning, building and management, which has the potential to drive cluster-policy formulation and implementation in Nigeria.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING : Geen opsomming beskikbaar.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING : Geen opsomming beskikbaar.
Description
Thesis (DAdmin)--Stellenbosch University, 2017.
Keywords
Business clusters -- Nigeria, Economic development -- Nigeria, Small business -- Nigeria, Public-private sector cooperation -- Nigeria, UCTD