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Human Capital, Institutions and Innovation in Sub-Saharan Africa

Author

Listed:
  • Stephen Oluwatobi

    (Department of Economics and Development Studies, Covenant University, Nigeria)

  • Oluyomi Ola-David

    (Department of Economics and Development Studies, Covenant University, Nigeria,)

  • Isaiah Olurinola

    (Department of Economics and Development Studies, Covenant University, Nigeria,)

  • Philip Alege

    (Department of Economics and Development Studies, Covenant University, Nigeria,)

  • Adeyemi Ogundipe

    (Department of Economics and Development Studies, Covenant University, Nigeria.)

Abstract

This study examined the impact of human capital and institutions on innovation in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) and clearly highlighted the relevance of the human factor in determining innovation outcomes in the Sub-Saharan African region. Using the system generalized method of moments, coupled with some descriptive analyses, it was found out that human capital, as well as an enabling institutional environment, affects innovation outcomes in SSA. On the contrary, innovation outcomes in the region did not benefit from foreign investment. The study, therefore, recommends that human capital capacity be cultivated and given the enabling environment to contribute to innovation outcomes. This is expected to attract innovation-centred investments into the region.

Suggested Citation

  • Stephen Oluwatobi & Oluyomi Ola-David & Isaiah Olurinola & Philip Alege & Adeyemi Ogundipe, 2016. "Human Capital, Institutions and Innovation in Sub-Saharan Africa," International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues, Econjournals, vol. 6(4), pages 1507-1514.
    • Handle: RePEc:eco:journ1:2016-04-30
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
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    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Adisu Fanta Bate & Esther Wanjiru Wachira & Sándor Danka, 2023. "The determinants of innovation performance: an income-based cross-country comparative analysis using the Global Innovation Index (GII)," Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Springer, vol. 12(1), pages 1-27, December.
    2. Dominic E. Azuh & Jeremiah O. Ejemeyovwi & Queen Adiat & Babatunde A. Ayanda, 2020. "Innovation and Human Development Perspectives in West Africa," SAGE Open, , vol. 10(4), pages 21582440209, December.
    3. Md. Qamruzzaman & Wei Jianguo & Sharmin Jahan & Zhu Yingjun, 2021. "Financial innovation, human capital development, and economic growth of selected South Asian countries: An application of ARDL approach," International Journal of Finance & Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 26(3), pages 4032-4053, July.
    4. Koketso Phale & Fanglin Li & Isaac Adjei Mensah & Akoto Yaw Omari-Sasu & Mohammed Musah, 2021. "Knowledge-Based Economy Capacity Building for Developing Countries: A Panel Analysis in Southern African Development Community," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-28, March.
    5. Jeremiah O. Ejemeyovwi & Evans S. Osabuohien & Olawale D. Johnson & Ebenezer I. K. Bowale, 2019. "Internet usage, innovation and human development nexus in Africa: the case of ECOWAS," Journal of Economic Structures, Springer;Pan-Pacific Association of Input-Output Studies (PAPAIOS), vol. 8(1), pages 1-16, December.
    6. Medase, Kehinde, 2019. "The Impact of the Heterogeneity of Employees’ Qualifications on Firm-level Innovation Evidence from Nigerian Firms," VfS Annual Conference 2019 (Leipzig): 30 Years after the Fall of the Berlin Wall - Democracy and Market Economy 203563, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Human Capital; Institutions; Innovation; Sub-Saharan Africa;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • I25 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Education - - - Education and Economic Development
    • O15 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Economic Development: Human Resources; Human Development; Income Distribution; Migration
    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
    • O32 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Management of Technological Innovation and R&D
    • O43 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - Institutions and Growth
    • O55 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Africa

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