Template-type: ReDIF-Paper 1.0
Author-Name: Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, Banji
Author-Email: oyeyinka@intech.unu.edu
Author-Workplace-Name: United Nations University, Institute for New Technologies
Title: Learning and Local Knowledge Institutions in African Industry
Abstract: Drawing insights from firm-level survey, this paper addresses three broad issues
	 relating to the role of learning and knowledge in African industry. First, we
	 examined modes of learning proxied by training in small and medium firms. We found
	 that elementary learning mechanisms such as apprenticeship, resulting in the
	 creation of tacit knowledge, are the dominant forms of learning. While knowledge
	 externalities tend to benefit larger firms, small enterprises with little
	 absorptive capacity are locked into repetitive routines of learning-by-doing and
	 disconnected from both local and global knowledge pools. Second, we looked at the
	 types and nature of the mix of formal knowledge and human skills possessed by firms
	 and how these impact on the learning process. Management and technical training are
	 mostly conducted in-house and are correlated with firm output and export
	 performance. The level of resources devoted to training also correlates with
	 performance. Thirdly, we examine the effect of interaction of local knowledge
	 institutions and small and medium producers to generate autonomous technical
	 dynamism. While small firms collaborate with suppliers and industrial associations,
	 interaction with 'knowledge creators' such as universities is insignificant. We
	 suggest that economic policy has a role to play in stimulating dynamic learning in
	 firms
Keywords: Knowledge, Tacit Knowledge, Codified Knowledge, Small Firms, Institutions, Africa
Series: Discussion Paper
Creation-Date: 2004
Number: 02
File-URL: http://www.intech.unu.edu/publications/discussion-papers/2004-2.pdf
File-Format: application/pdf
File-Size: 117 Kb
Handle: RePEc:unm:unuint:200402