Gender Influence on Access to Innovation Resources in Nigeria
Ighomereho, O. Salome; Agbalajobi, T. Damilola; Edegwa, K. Sunday

Abstract
Studies have indicated that men are more innovative than women in every aspect of business. In an attempt to unravel the reasons for such a scenario, this study investigated empirically gender influence on access to innovation resources among women and men-owned Small and Medium- sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Lagos State, Nigeria. Five innovation resources which include education, finance, skilled workforce, extension and support services and partnership were examined in relation to gender. The data collected via questionnaires were analyzed using percentages, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and regression analysis. The results indicated that women are discriminated against in access to finance and skilled workforce but are not discriminated against in access to education, extension and support services and partnership. It was also found that access to four of the innovation resources identified in the study and gender have significant impact on innovation performance. Access to extension and support service has no significant impact. It was therefore recommended that policies and schemes targeting SMEs especially with respect to finance should be gender friendly so as to invigorate the otherwise dormant potential in women to innovate.

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