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The aim of this research is to provide analysis of the rural non-farm sector in Nigeria by investigating inter-linkages between farm and non-farm activities. By critical analysis using quantitative and qualitative research methods to investigate farm and non-farm sectors, the research attempts to reveal the complex linkages between these activities undertaken by rural households. The analysis employs household surveys aimed at collecting primary data undertaken to investigate various aspects of rural livelihoods including sources of income, employment, diversification and determinants of household income. The research provides analysis of Rural Micro and Small Enterprises (RMSEs) in the non-farm sector. It investigates the sources of rural livelihoods, which are primarily based on farming activities. However, farming in this area is still carried out by about 80 percent of households in a traditional subsistence system with crude implements and in scattered plots of about 2.0 hectares or less. This subsistence farming system has resulted in increasing changes in decision making, along with dynamic processes of socio-economic and cultural changes including assets and resources which households depend on for their survival. Diversification of income activities has become an important aspect of rural livelihoods due to continued low agricultural income and output. Non-farm income activities have the potential to reduce rising rural unemployment, providing more income opportunities for young people, women and other vulnerable groups. It can provide capital for investment in child education, home improvement, asset formation and on-farm innovation or expansion. This research argues for an integrated approach towards rural development and poverty reduction through the promotion of both agriculture and non-agricultural sectors. Analysis of household income structure and determinants indicate that non-farm income accounts for about 44% of total household income and non-farm income has become an important source of capital for on-farm and off-farm investment. Ownership of non-farm enterprise, household labour force, level of education, age, farm size (land), financial capital (level of savings) and access to basic infrastructure are the main determinants of household income. Using disaggregated and distributional data the study found variations in effect of the various factors on household income on different groups of households.

This thesis concerns middle-scale enterprise and economic development, focussing on the case of Kenya. The distribution of industry in Kenya is characterised by an apparent underdevelopment of middle-scale enterprise compared with micro- and large-scale, a feature frequently referred to as the 'missing middle'. A further distinctive feature of Kenya's middle is the relatively strong involvement by entrepreneurs of Asian origin. The immediate objective of this thesis is to produce a better understanding of these phenomena, argued to be highly relevant to Kenya’s wider economic development. To understand the position of the middle in Kenya, a new concept frame is put forward based on a broadly institutional approach drawing on both new and old institutional economics. This frame sees the potential for middle-scale enterprise in terms of the economic and social context, with formal and informal institutions playing a role. The notion of discontinuity is introduced to describe interactions between elements of structure which produce an adverse exchange environment for enterprise. It is argued that Kenya has a generally hostile environment for middle- scale enterprise, characterised by discontinuities and uncertainty. Entrepreneurs from Kenya's Asian communities are able to escape these generic problems by use of informal social institutions, accounting for their relative success. Evidence from cases studies of middle-scale enterprises owned by Kenyans of both Asian and African origin, together with secondary data, broadly supports the argument. There are strong indications of discontinuities between large and middle- scale enterprise and within the formal institutional environment. Asian entrepreneurs are observed to rely heavily on informal social institutions to facilitate exchange. Such an option does not appear open to aspirant African entrepreneurs. Supporting the development of Kenya's middle-scale will necessitate addressing the discontinuities undermining its development. Simple deregulation and market liberalisation will not suffice.

<p>Background: Though small enterprises are regarded as engine for the modern economy, they are not pioneers when it comes to implementing new advances like tacit knowledge transfer procedures. Tacit knowledge is often referred as skill, know-how and expertise which are embedded in each individual in an organization. The critical skills and competences of employees are intangible assets and firms’ intellectual resources. In this context, the tacit dimension of knowledge is potentially important to be transferred among individuals, either in tacit or explicit form, to build the core capabilities of small enterprises.</p><p>Problem Discussion: The existent Knowledge Management (KM) research has been mainly focused on big companies, providing little information for small enterprises. Authors believe the lack of attention that those small enterprises are putting on the strategic management of their knowledge is worrying. Tacit knowledge is one of the less explored areas within KM due to the difficulty to codify, formulate or express it. Despite this fact, it is perceived as “some kind of Holy Grail that will enable magnificent things to happen as soon as the codes of tacit knowledge have been deciphered”.</p><p>Purpose: The purpose of this study is to increase the understanding of the transference of tacit knowledge among individuals within small segment of small enterprises.</p><p>Method: To gather the information pertaining to tacit knowledge transfer in the small segment of small enterprises, authors have performed a qualitative and explanatory research by conducting several interviews with two small companies.</p><p>Result: Tacit to tacit knowledge transfer has been identified as more relevant than tacit to explicit conversion in the small segment of small enterprises. Therefore the main drivers of the transference of tacit knowledge are learning at personal level and common culture. Time, cost and distance have been recognized as major problems for small enterprises when transferring tacit knowledge.</p>

Background: Though small enterprises are regarded as engine for the modern economy, they are not pioneers when it comes to implementing new advances like tacit knowledge transfer procedures. Tacit knowledge is often referred as skill, know-how and expertise which are embedded in each individual in an organization. The critical skills and competences of employees are intangible assets and firms’ intellectual resources. In this context, the tacit dimension of knowledge is potentially important to be transferred among individuals, either in tacit or explicit form, to build the core capabilities of small enterprises. Problem Discussion: The existent Knowledge Management (KM) research has been mainly focused on big companies, providing little information for small enterprises. Authors believe the lack of attention that those small enterprises are putting on the strategic management of their knowledge is worrying. Tacit knowledge is one of the less explored areas within KM due to the difficulty to codify, formulate or express it. Despite this fact, it is perceived as “some kind of Holy Grail that will enable magnificent things to happen as soon as the codes of tacit knowledge have been deciphered”. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to increase the understanding of the transference of tacit knowledge among individuals within small segment of small enterprises. Method: To gather the information pertaining to tacit knowledge transfer in the small segment of small enterprises, authors have performed a qualitative and explanatory research by conducting several interviews with two small companies. Result: Tacit to tacit knowledge transfer has been identified as more relevant than tacit to explicit conversion in the small segment of small enterprises. Therefore the main drivers of the transference of tacit knowledge are learning at personal level and common culture. Time, cost and distance have been recognized as major problems for small enterprises when transferring tacit knowledge.

Innovation is, in most cases, a necessity for firms in today’s changingmarket place. It has the potential to offer firms numerous advantages,including increased profit and growth. However, innovationis no easy process and there are many barriers and impedimentsto innovation that needs to be overcome in order to efficiently innovate.A study conducted by Vinnova (2007) showed that 18% ofSMEs consider a shortage of qualified personnel as a high barrier toinnovation. How are competence barriers to innovation experienced by smallenterprises in the selected sample? Do competence barriers to innovationvary depending on different firm characteristics and in thatcase how? Which consequences do small enterprises encounter as aresult of facing competence barriers to innovation? Are small enterprisesthat face high competence barriers to innovation more likelyto encounter consequences? The purpose of this research report is to investigate competencebarriers to innovation within small enterprises and the consequencesthese barriers might result in. Competence barriers to innovation are considered moderate in thissample. The highest barrier was shortage of qualified personnel necessaryfor innovation. In general, small enterprises that experienceda higher level of competition also faced higher competence barriersto innovation. The most frequently reported consequences fromfacing competence barriers to innovation were; inability to acceptcertain jobs or contracts, decreased profitability and difficulty in expandingthe business. Small enterprises which face higher competencebarriers to innovation are more likely to encounter consequences.

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<p>Innovation is, in most cases, a necessity for firms in today’s changingmarket place. It has the potential to offer firms numerous advantages,including increased profit and growth. However, innovationis no easy process and there are many barriers and impedimentsto innovation that needs to be overcome in order to efficiently innovate.A study conducted by Vinnova (2007) showed that 18% ofSMEs consider a shortage of qualified personnel as a high barrier toinnovation.</p><p>How are competence barriers to innovation experienced by smallenterprises in the selected sample? Do competence barriers to innovationvary depending on different firm characteristics and in thatcase how? Which consequences do small enterprises encounter as aresult of facing competence barriers to innovation? Are small enterprisesthat face high competence barriers to innovation more likelyto encounter consequences?</p><p>The purpose of this research report is to investigate competencebarriers to innovation within small enterprises and the consequencesthese barriers might result in.</p><p>Competence barriers to innovation are considered moderate in thissample. The highest barrier was shortage of qualified personnel necessaryfor innovation. In general, small enterprises that experienceda higher level of competition also faced higher competence barriersto innovation. The most frequently reported consequences fromfacing competence barriers to innovation were; inability to acceptcertain jobs or contracts, decreased profitability and difficulty in expandingthe business. Small enterprises which face higher competencebarriers to innovation are more likely to encounter consequences.</p>

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