INNOVATION AND WOMEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP PERFORMANCE IN THE 21ST CENTURY: A STUDY OF WOMEN ENTREPRENEURSHIP (CLUSTER) IN SOKOTO METROPOLIS

Abstract
The aim of this study is to assess the influence of innovation on the performance of women entrepreneurs in Sokoto metropolis. The study uses Sokoto metropolis as the study area, a sample size of 353 women entrepreneurs is drawn using purposive and convenience sampling techniques out of 4512 registered women entrepreneurs in Sokoto metropolis. The responses are collected through structured questionnaire; statistical package for social science (SPSS) is used to analyze respondent’s profile while Regression model is used to test the research hypotheses. The findings of the study indicated that innovation variables of product innovation and Marketing innovation have positive and significant influence on the performance of women entrepreneurs in Sokoto metropolis. The study therefore suggests that of product innovation and Marketing innovation variables of innovation are important to women entrepreneurs’ performance. Therefore women entrepreneurs should a good understanding of their customers needs so that they provide unique products and services to meet up with such needs and to maintain their market share and survive competitions and for improved performance.
Keywords
Innovation, Product Innovation, Marketing Innovation, Women Entrepreneurs’ Performance