An Investigation of Various Government Programs, Trade and Industrial Policies on Growth and Development of Small Scale Industries toward Their Marketing Activities in Nigeria

Abstract

The study examined various government programs, trade and industrial policies and their impacts on survival, growth and development of Small Scale Industry towards their marketing activities in Nigeria with special focus on Lagos State, Nigeria. The purpose of the study was to find out if there is any significant relationship between trade and industrial policies, growth and development of Small Scale Industry and marketing activities in the country. The federal government of Nigeria has over the years shown great interest in development and supports of Small Scale Industries by formulating various programs, trade and industrial policies to stimulate growth and development of SSI and also ensure adequate financing to the sector. Yet, many Small Scale Industries in the country have either packed up, folded up, operating below average capacity or moved to the neighbouring countries for enabling environment. The dependent variable growth and development of Small Scale Industry was characterized into manpower size, business structure, technological development and advancement, among others. While the independent variable, trade and industrial policies were measured using Likert scale. The results revealed that the government trade and industrial policies have little or no effect on growth and development of Small Scale Industries and marketing activities in Nigeria as indicated by the low enhancement of SSIs development on financial assistance of 49% in Lagos State. The study further showed that government trade and industrial policies have little or no impact on technological development of SSIs in the country as indicated by 93% of SSIs that started with traditional technology which still maintain 49% tradition; 7% semi-mechanized, and 0% full mechanized/automation. It was concluded that trade and industrial policies of government were formulated with good intention to stimulate SSIs development and improve marketing activities of SSIs in the country but bureaucracy, corruption, poor policy implementation and lack of adequate awareness made them very ineffective.