EFFECT OF ADVANCED MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY (AMT) ON THE PRODUCT OUTPUT OF MANUFACTURING SMALL AND MEDIUM SCALE ENTERPRISES IN NIGERIA
Mohammed Sani Haruna - Ph.D. Student in Entrepreneurship, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya
Prof. Roselyn Gakure - Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya
Prof. George Orwa - Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya
ABSTRACT
Manufacturing Small and Medium Enterprises in Nigeria have neither performed credibly well nor played the expected role of contributing significantly to economic growth and development. In recent years, many manufacturing firms have closed down and the existing ones struggle under a myriad of challenges. Several literatures have identified Advanced Manufacturing Technology (AMT) as a key driver for performance of enterprises. There is need to determine if AMT can succeed in enhancing performance of Manufacturing SMEs so as to contribute in revitalizing the economy of Nigeria. The objective of the study was to determine the effect of AMT on the product output of Manufacturing SMEs in Nigeria. This study used descriptive survey research design. The target population for this study consisted of the manufacturing Small Medium Enterprises in Kaduna, Nigeria. The study relied on structured questionnaires as source of primary data which was administered by qualified research team. The researcher employed the paired sample t-test to investigate the existence of any significant differences between the two set of data (before and after adoption). Subsequently, regression analysis and ANOVA was carried out to test the statistical significance of the various independent variables (Computer Aided Design, Computer Aided Manufacturing, Virtual Manufacturing Technology and Computer Numerical control) of AMT on the dependent variable of product output. The findings revealed that Advanced Manufacturing Technology (AMT) have a significant influence on the product output of Manufacturing SMEs in Nigeria confirming the disposition of previous works which present that ATM enables firms to manufacture new and better products more quickly and at a much lower cost than ever before.With dwindling Oil prices as experienced in recent time, the economic system of Nigeria is in precarious situation and calls for diversification. Adoption of Advanced Manufacturing Technology by manufacturing Small Medium Enterprises can enhance performance as well as fast-track the nation’s economic development.
