Management barriers to innovation performance in Nigerian manufacturing sector

Innovation is an essential strategy for businesses to increase performance and profitability. While current literature focuses on technology and other technical barriers to innovation, many businesses in developing countries are unaware of the significance of organizational policy and practices on a firm's capacity to innovate, thus being confronted with stagnant or low innovation performance. A quantitative survey (n = 351) study was conducted to investigate the importance and impact of management barriers to innovation within production and manufacturing plants in Nigeria. Five hypotheses were tested using structural equation modelling (SEM). A questionnaire was developed based on relevant constructs adapted from previous studies. These were validated using Confirmatory Factor Analysis, Cronbach's alpha, and Composite Reliability Index. Garrett's ranking technique was used to determine the order of importance of identified barriers. Results indicate that all five management barriers investigated (i.e., management support, low motivation, resistance to change, risk avoidance behaviour, and financial resource) inhibit innovation performance in the sampled organizations. Furthermore, resistance to change, risk avoidance behaviour, and lack of management support ranked as the most significant management barriers. The study findings inform managers, senior executives, and policymakers how to reduce innovation barriers during the formulation and implementation of management strategies. The distinct characteristics of innovation barriers within Nigerian manufacturing businesses were highlighted, expanding the body of knowledge in this context.