Instrument for Testing Innovation on the Sustainable Growth of Manufacturing SMEs in Nigeria

Abstract

This paper is based on a pilot study which was conducted to test innovation on the sustainable growth of SMEs by focusing on the methodological viewpoints. The objective of the pilot study was to assess the viability, length of time, cost, and adverse effects of innovation on the sustainable growth of SMEs in Nigeria so as to enhance the design of the questionnaire before its full implementation. A review of the research instrument was performed by four multi-disciplinary academics who specialised in management, accounting, and strategic management, respectively. The aim was to ensure consistency in the questionnaire so that respondents would have no trouble completing them. The statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) Version 23 was used to assist in the exploratory factor analysis (EFA) which tests for reliability and the Cronbach alpha values were used to examine the content and face validity of the instrument. All the constructs and items used in the model were adapted from previous literature. The sample size used for the study comprised 100 respondents recruited from the SMEs operating in Nigeria. The findings showed that all the constructs in the model carried a high Cronbach alpha value of above 0.7. Therefore, all items used in the instrument were retained. This study is expected to contribute to the literature on methodological multivariate studies, the quantitative approach research on innovation, and the sustainable growth of SMEs.