Innovation and Productivity of Flour Millers in Kenya

Abstract

This study sought to investigate the relationship between innovation and productivity of flour milling companies in Kenya. The researcher collected data from all the large-scale millers in Kenya. Questionnaires were used for data collection, administered using online forms and emails. Data analysis was carried out using statistical tools such as measures of central tendencies and regression analysis. The results of this research were presented using tables. The study found out that there was a significant positive relationship between innovation and productivity of flour milling companies in Kenya. It also revealed a positive significant relationship between the individual explanatory variables and the explained variable. The study showed that flour millers invested significantly into research and development and innovative activities, encouraged their employees to be more innovative and also were proactive in registering patents and trademarks to secure their intellectual properties. There is need for improvement on innovation in Kenya. Flour millers relied on purchasing most of their innovative technologies from international suppliers and therefore there is need for intervention to boost local production.