Innovative Management Practices and Product Development Success: Evidence from Selected Paint Manufacturing SMEs in Nigeria
Keywords:
Innovative Management Practices, Product Development Success, Organizational Structure, Organizational Strategy, Organizational CultureAbstract
The ability to develop new or improved products in a competitive and dynamic business environment is crucial for the survival and growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly in the manufacturing sector. Innovation management has become a key driver of product development success. This study examines the link between innovative management practices and product development success among paint manufacturing SMEs in Nigeria, focusing on the roles of organizational structure, strategy, and culture. Using a survey research design, data were collected from 50 management staff across seven selected paint manufacturing firms. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analyses were employed to analyze the data. The findings reveal a strong and statistically significant positive relationship between the three innovation management dimensions and product development success. Organizational strategy emerged as the strongest predictor (r = 0.778), followed by organizational culture (r = 0.762) and organizational structure (r = 0.743). The regression model further confirmed that these variables significantly contribute to product development success (R² = 0.679, p < 0.001). The study concludes that firms with flexible structures, innovation-driven strategies, and supportive organizational cultures are better positioned to succeed in product development. It recommends that paint manufacturing SMEs adopt adaptive organizational structures, foster innovation-friendly cultures, align innovation with strategic goals, and invest in employee development to enhance product innovation and competitiveness.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Florence K Igweh, Ernest Jebolise Chukwuka, Cephas Onyeka Daniel (Author)
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