Strategic Engagement of Scholars with ICT Infrastructure for Enhancing MSMEs' Access to Research Innovations in Kaduna State
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64780/msl.v1i1.115Keywords:
ICT Infrastructure, Research Information Needs, Digital Access, Research DisseminationAbstract
This study investigates researchers’ perspectives on the availability, accessibility, and utilisation of ICT infrastructure for disseminating research innovations to MSMEs in Kaduna State, Nigeria. Grounded in the UTAUT and the DOI theory, the research explores how digital tools and systems facilitate or hinder the transmission of academic knowledge to industry stakeholders. A descriptive survey design was adopted, and data were collected using a structured instrument, the Dissemination of Research Innovations Questionnaire (DRIQ). A total of 300 scholars were selected using simple random sampling from a population of 936 academic scholars. Descriptive statistics, specifically mean and standard deviation, were used to analyse the data, with a benchmark mean score of 2.5 set to determine agreement levels. Findings reveal that while basic ICT infrastructure exists in some institutions, significant gaps persist in accessibility, specific research dissemination, and digital engagement with MSMEs. Scholars expressed concern over low awareness, limited open-access platforms, and weak academic-industry linkages. These limitations obstruct the visibility and usability of research outputs among MSMEs. The study concludes that bridging these gaps requires strategic investments in ICT infrastructure, targeted dissemination mechanisms, and collaborative frameworks that align academic innovation with the needs of MSME development. The study recommends stronger investments in ICT infrastructure across research institutions and the establishment of open-access digital repositories to improve MSMEs’ access to relevant innovations. Strengthened academic-industry collaboration is also vital for aligning research with the real-time needs of MSMEs and promoting sustainable knowledge transfer.
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