Technoprenuership: An Instrument for Curbing Corruption

7/31/2019 Technoprenuership: An Instrument for Curbing Corruption

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TECHNOPRENEURSHIP: AN INSTRUMENT FOR

CONTROLLING CORRUPTION IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE

BY

CHRISTOPHER KAYODE AGHOLOR

Department of Public Administration

Federal Training Centre, Maiduguri

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INTRODUCTION

The high degree of poverty, poor remuneration of public

servants in Nigeria with the attendant corruption rate among public

servants has been of great concern to various governments (Federal,

State and Local) as well as the civil society. In recognition of the

devastating impact of corruption among public servants on the

economy and image of the country, all and sundry have been

seriously agitating as to what to do to curb it or reduce its crippling

effect.

Corruption among public servants in Nigerian is essentially the

abuse of power held by the perpetrator for private or sectional gains

which generally results in collective societal loss. It is mainly caused

by the absence of adequate social financial security for public

servants. When terminal benefits of retiring employees are not paid

as and when due; when workers who are involved in accidents in the

course of official duties are not adequately compensated; when no

provision is made for health and other welfare needs of serving

officials and when undue authority and responsibility is vested in

junior officials by virtue of their official connections, the temptation for

corruption, such as preparing for the rainy day heightens. Today,

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corruption has pervaded the public service at all levels such that

official position is seen as a way to accumulate wealth and personal

aggrandizement instead of selfless service to the nation.

Given the vital and salutary role and contributions which

technopreneurship play in developed and developing economies and

considering the ongoing reforms by the government of Nigeria, which

are primarily aimed at creating wealth, reducing poverty, generating

employment, reorientating of values, and stimulating real economic

growth, it becomes compelling for the practice of technopreneurship

to be encouraged among Nigerians especially public servants.

Technopreneurship remain a veritable instrument for curbing

corruption among public servants and complete turn around in the

economy of Nigeria.

This paper will attempt to elucidate the concept of

technopreneurship, outline the characteristics of a technopreneur and

the tips for successful technopreneurship as well as the benefits of

technopreneurship to the public servants and the economy.

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CONCEPT OF TECHNOPRENEURSHIP

Technopreneurship has been in existence in the developed

countries since the 19th century as practiced by Henry Ford, Adam

Osborne, Thomas Edison, Sir Clive Sinclair, P.T Bennum and

Elizabeth Arden to mention but a few. However the term

technopreneurship is a relatively new terminology that is fast gaining

currency in the developed and developing nations.

To understand the term, there is need to examine the word

techno and prenuership. Techno is a style of electronic dance

music characterized by its quick tempo and use of digitally

synthesized instruments. However, from the late 20th century; the

word techno is being used as a short form of technology.

Technology is a term derived from the Greek word tekhne which

refers to an art or craft, and logia meaning an area of study. Thus,

technology means, literally, the study or science of crafting: a

profession or activity that requires skill and training, or experience or

specialized knowledge.

Prenuership, on the other hand, is coined from the word

entrepreneurship. An entrepreneur is a risk taking business person:

somebody who initiates or finances new commercial enterprise.

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Entre means the ability to enter a social group, institution or

practices while prenuership refers to the managerial undertaking of

an enterprise.

Drawing from the above, a technopreneur is an individual who

undertakes an enterprise that is related to his or her field of expertise,

technical know-how, training, craft or profession. Therefore, a

technopreneur is any person who set up a business concern in his

area of technical know-how, training or expertise to make profit and

can, through his expert knowledge or professional experience,

manage the business concern to growth, expansion and

diversification if need be. A technopreneur is therefore, the actor

while technopreneurship is the act. The difference between an

entrepreneur and a technopreneur is that an entrepreneur ventures

into any and all kinds of business where he may not be a professional

or have the knowledge, expertise or training. In most cases, the

entrepreneur employs an expert to run the business or give technical

or professional advice. On the other hand a technopreneur enters

into a business concern in the area where he is a professional by

virtue of his training, experience qualification or expertise.

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RATIONALE FOR TECHNOPRENEURSHIP AMONG PUBLIC

SERVANTS

The public service is arguably the highest employer of labour in

the country with different departments and professionals, technical,

skilled, semi skilled and unskilled workers. Thus, the public service

accommodates a pool of skilled people either by virtue of their

education, training, experience or personal development, craft or

apprenticeship. It is surprising today that more than 60% of public

servants only utilize their talent, skill and training in the discharge of

the duties at work without putting it to use outside the formal work

place. Thus such talents are under-utilized in the sense that the need

for them in the society is enormous and unmet.

In the face of dwindling resources, increase in standard of

living, problems of mass unemployment, corruption in the public

service and uncertainty of the future, technopreneurship among

public servants becomes imperative. Thus, a clerk or messenger who

is very proficient in tailoring, tie and dye could have a tailoring, tie and

dye outfit, an ICT or computer teacher or operator could establish a

computer training school and or a business centre, similarly a nurse

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can operate a small chemist, a clerical officer crafted in fishing can

venture into fish farming etc.

PRACTICE AND TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL

TECHNOPRENEURSHIP

Technopreneurship does not involve huge capital as the capital

requirement to start is not too huge. In technopreneurship, the

business concern or enterprise is usually on a small or medium scale

with long term development or expansion plan. However, if the

technopreneur decides to make the enterprise a large one, two or

more technopreneurs can merge or combine their resources to setup

the enterprise if he can not do it alone.

Whether the enterprise is on a small, medium or large scale,

the capital to start the enterprise can be sourced from personal

savings, family assistance, borrowing from financial organization or

combination of some or all of the above sources. The practice of

technopreneurship is easy because no rigorous legal or

administrative formalities are required. Its management and

organization is not cumbersome because the technopreneur is an

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expert or professional in the field although some managerial skill may

be required in addition to his expertise.

In the practice of technopreneurship reckless diversification is

not desirable. Every diversification must attempt to add core to the

existing core. According to peter Ducker (1968), core simply means

the area where a business man or his enterprise has superior

knowledge or specialization. The business that is diversified without

specialization or specific knowledge becomes unmanageable and

eventually unmanaged. However, in technopreneurship other general

business like the sale of recharge card, soft drinks, snacks and pure

water that are not technical oriented can be incorporated.

In technopreneurship the technopreneur does not need to be

always physically present in the enterprise which makes it conducive

for public servants to practice. All that is needed is his direction,

supervision from time to time and managerial ability.

The essential characteristics of a technopreneur are;

Technical ability/expertise in the chosen field or area.

Confidence.

Goal oriented (Drive for achievement and profit).

Persistence.

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Willingness to take risk.

However, the following are very necessary for successful

technopreneurship:

1. Vision and drive for goal achievement.

2. Commitment, determination and perseverance.

3. Motivation and hard work.

4. Creativity, innovation, value creation and customer

satisfaction.

5. Discipline, control and maintenance of standards.

6. Good human relation and communication skills.

7. Leadership and managerial skills

8. Employee satisfaction and continuity.

9. Tolerance and calculated risk with ability to understand

the internal and external environment of the business.

10. Regular monitoring and review of plans.

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BENEFITS/PROSPECTS OF TECHNOPRENEURSHIP

Technopreneurship can be very beneficial because it serves as

a catalyst for economic development. It is a means for the

transformation or change in the economic system. Schumpeter

(1975) shares this view as he asserts that entrepreneurship is a vital

force in the economic system as a whole.

The benefits of technopreneurship are:

1. Provision of Employment

The practice of technopreneurship leads to provision of

employment for people without Jobs thereby reducing

unemployment in the society. People employed in

technopreneurship are often trained in the field of specialization

who later become technopreneurs and the cycle continues.

2. Additional Source of Income

Technopreneurship brings financial profit or additional

source of income for public servants who are practitioners.

Thus, they become free from financial worries and dependence

on other people or corruption for survival. People on paid

employment (i.e. Public Servants) can combine

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technopreneurship with their Jobs and or other ventures. This is

a double protection and source of income.

3. Access to Business Contacts

Technopreneurship enhances relationship between the

owner, staff and customers. Thus personal relationships and

business contacts are improved.

4. A Good Retirement Plan

The practice of technopreneurship by public servants can

be a good retirement plan. The retired employee would find the

business/concern a good way to keep him busy, maintain the

family and fulfill other social and financial obligations. The

enterprise can be developed or expanded with the retirement

benefits.

5. Economic Growth

Technopreneurship causes growth in an economy.

Economic growth entails an increase in economic activities

within an economy. Economic growth means more output and

changes in the technical and institutional arrangements by

which it is produced. All these are caused or brought about by

technopreneurship. This means that through the art and act of

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technopreneurship, a more positive multiplier effect is

introduced within the economy thereby stimulating economic

growth.

6. Productivity

Productivity is caused by technopreneurship. Stoner et al

(2000) asserts that productivity is the ability to produce more

goods and services with less labour and other inputs. Higher

productivity is mainly a matter of improving production

techniques and this task is the technopreneurial function per

excellence. In order to increase productivity, there is need for

research and investment in new plants and machines and it is

technopreneurship that produces both.

7. New Technologies, Products and Services

Technopreneurship is the catalyst for new technologies,

products and services. Technopreneurship efforts bring about

changes in technologies, products and services in the

economy. Many people who have developed new technologies

and or products were employees of large corporations that

refused to use the new inventions thereby forcing the inventors

to be technopreneurs. At times, one innovation gives rise to

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many other innovations resulting in many products and

services.

8. Improves Technical and Managerial Skills

Technopreneurship improves the technical and

managerial skills and abilities of the technopreneur. The

involvement of an individual in technopreneurship sharpens his

skills and technological know-how combined with practical

business experience. This is a very important asset

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

The practice of technopreneurship by public servants no doubt

is an effective means of curbing or at least reducing corruption

among public servants and contributing positively to the economic

growth of the nation. The skills, training and expertise of public

servants in Nigeria needs to be harnessed and utilized properly.

Despite the usage of these skills in the office or place of work, they

are still under utilized. Owing to the benefits of technopreneurship,

the corrupt tendencies in the public service and the need for

economic growth, technopreneurship among public servants remain

an instrument for controlling corruption in the public service. This

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paper recommends the following measures to enhance the practice

of technopreneurship among public servants.

1. Public servants should be encouraged to practice

technopreneurship. The government should create an

enabling environment to encourage technopreneurship as a

means of curbing corruption.

2. Financial institutions and microfinance institutions should

encourage technopreneurship by assisting with soft (short

and medium term) loans.

3. Professionals in the public and private sectors should form

associations or bodies to help their members (professionally

and otherwise) to practice technopreneurship.

4. Public servants should venture into technopreneurship as a

means of preparing for retirement.

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REFERENCES

Aminu, A.A. (2009) Entrepreneurship: Theory and Practice.

Compaq Publisher Limited, Maiduguri.

Collier, P. (2000) How to Reduce Corruption inAfrican

Development Review Vol. 12, No. 2 ADB,

Abidjan.

Drucker, P. (1986) Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Harpers and

Row, New York.

Mehta, J.K. (1971) Economic Development: Principles and

Problems. Chaitanga Publishing House,

Allahabad

Nongo, S.A. (2003) Private Sector Entrepreneurship Catalyst

for Economic Development of Benue State

Journal of Economics and Management

Studies. Vol. 1 No. 1 July December.

Oni, A (2004) Management and Strategy. El-Toda Ventures

Limited, Lagos.

Schumpeter, J.A (1975) Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy.

Harpers and Row, New York.

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Stoner, et al (2000) Management. Sixth Edition, Prentice Hall,

India.

Thompson, A.C. (1994 Corruption in Public Life: Counseling as a

Tool for Change in Counseling Issues for the

Nigerian Policy.CASSON No. 2

Timmons, J.A. (1985) New Venture Creation. Richard D. Irwin.

Homewood

Wilken, P.H. (1979) Entrepreneurship: A Comparative and

Historical Studies, Ablex Publishing, Norwood

N.J

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Technoprenuership: An Instrument for Curbing Corruption

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