New product development process: The case of selected technical and vocational colleges in Nigeria

© 2017 African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development. An examination of the literature reveals that studies on new product development processes have been carried out mostly in western contexts using sequential models. This study was conducted using the innovation systems approach and a sequential model to analyze new product development processes in selected technical and vocational colleges in Nigeria. Using a questionnaire survey method, the sequential model revealed that most of the respondents (91%) conceived of their products through job experience and only 4.9% conceived of product ideas through R&D, showing a weakness in science-based enquiries in the invention stages. In addition, 73.9% developed prototypes while 82.2%, 80.4%, and 69.2% conducted feasibly studies, business analyses and market surveys, respectively. These results imply capability in the commercialization stages of the sequential model. The systems of innovation approach however revealed very weak linkages with universities and R&D institutes which could have complemented lack of R&D activities in the technical and vocational colleges. While some useful and beneficial technological products have been developed in the colleges, we conclude that the use of sequential models and systems of innovation approach may bring a fresh perspective to the product development process.