6 - Sustaining Global Skills Inequality? Skills Development and Skills Protectionism in the Nigerian Multinational Corporate Sector
Corresponding Author(s) : Joseph O. Jiboku
Africa Development,
Vol. 43 No. 2 (2018): Africa Development
Abstract
The vital role of skills for socio-economic transformation is well espoused in the literature; however little scholarly attention has been paid to the international dichotomies in skills and the dynamics that underpin them. In many countries in the Global South, there is a plethora of liberal policies that seek to attract industrial investment by corporations in the Global North, the hope often being that the development of vital skills will result from such investments. Yet, studies have shown that in many developing countries, years of active business involvement by multinational corporations have not had the desired effects. Against this backdrop, this article examines the skills development programmes and strategies in Nigeria’s multinational corporate sector vis-à-vis the dominant national discourses on skills development in Nigeria. The focus is on the extent to which multinational corporations (MNCs) operating in Nigeria have facilitated the acquisition of vital skills. From interviews conducted in key Nigerian national manpower policy agencies and two multinational companies, with long active industrial operations in Nigeria, the article argues that despite their long existence, MNCs operating in Nigeria still source vital skills from their home countries. Besides, the levels of investment in skills development in the local economy suggest a possibility of skills protectionism – an active or unwitting process of ‘hoarding’ vital skills. The article thus highlights the challenges and contradictions of economic calculations of corporations and national human capital development imperatives.
Keywords
Download Citation
Endnote/Zotero/Mendeley (RIS)BibTeX
- Agbodike, C.C., 1998, ‘Foreign investments and the Nigerian economy: the role of multinational corporations’, Nigerian Journal of Economic History 1:162–9.
- Akpomuvie, O.B., 2011, ‘The role of traditional skills and techniques in the development of modern science and technology in Africa’, International Journal of Humanities and Social Science 1 (13): 178–86.
- Aniekan, E.E., 2011, ‘Poverty alleviation in Nigeria through capitalism economic framework: problems and challenges’, Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa 13(2): 181–91.
- Arrighi, G., Silver, B.J. and Brewer, B.D., 2003, ‘Industrial convergence, globalization, and the persistence of the North–South divide’, Studies in Comparative International Development 38 (1): 3–31.
- Babbie, E. and Mouton, J., 2001, The Practice of Social Research, Cape Town: Oxford University Press.
- Bakan, J., 2004, The Corporation: The Pathological Pursuit of Profit and Power, New York: FP Free Press.
- Baier, S.L., and Bergstrand, J.H., 2001, ‘The growth of world trade: tariffs, transport costs, and income similarity’, Journal of international Economics (53) 1.
- Blomstrom, M. and Kokko, A., 2001, ‘FDI, human capital and education in developing countries‘, Technical Meeting, 13–14 December, OECD Development Centre: Paris.
- Brewer, L., 2013, Enhancing Youth Employability: What? Why? and How? – Guide to Core Work Skills, Geneva: Skills and Employability Department International Labour Organisation.
- Boddewyn, J.J., 1988, ‘Political aspects of MNE theory’, Journal of International Business Studies 19(3): 341–63.
- Chase, K.A., 2004, ‘From protectionism to regionalism: multinational firms and trade-related investment measures’, Business and Politics 6 (2).
- Dulupçu, M.A., and Demirel, O., 2009, ‘Globalisation and internationalisation’, Economy and Labour World, Isparta 2003–2009. Socrates Comenius, Research Report submitted to the European Commission.
- Ejere, E.S.I., 2011, ‘Human capital formation as catalyst for national development: Nigerian perspective’, International Business and Management Journal 2 (2): 98–104.
- Erunke, C., and Kigbu, H., 2012, ‘Globalisation, multinational corporation and the Nigerian economy’, International Journal of Social Science Tomorrow 1 (2) 61–8.
- Fouda, R.A.N., 2012, ‘Protectionism and free trade: a country’s glory or doom?’,International Journal of Trade, Economics and Finance 5 (3).
- Greenaway, D., 1992, ‘Trade related investment measures and development strategy’, Kyklos 45 (2): 139–59. The Guardian, 2014, ‘Nigeria overtakes South Africa to become Africa’s largest economy’, The Guardian, 7 April.
- Guisinger, S.E., 1986, ‘Do performance requirements and investment incentives work?’ World economy 9(1): 79–96.
- Hammarlund, P.A., 2005, Liberal Internationalism and the Decline of the State: The Thought of Richard Cobden, David Mitrany, and Kenichi Ohmae. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
- Jing, M., and Yuduo, L., 2012, ‘Free trade or protection: a literature review on trade barriers’, Research in World Economy 2(1).
- Kapstein, E.B., 2002, ‘Virtuous circles? Human capital formation, economic development and the multinational enterprises’, OECD Working Paper No. 191. Research Programme on Global Interdependence and Income Distribution, August.
- Kapfer, S., 2006, ‘Multinational corporations and the erosion of state sovereignty’, paper prepared for Illinois State University Conference for Students of Political Science, Illinois State University, available at pol.illinoisstate.edu, accessed 15 July 2014.
- Khilji, B.A., Kakar, Z.K. and Subhan, S., 2012, ‘Impact of vocational training and skill development on economic growth in Pakistan’, World Applied Sciences Journal 17 (10): 1298–302.
- Latif, A.A., 2011, ‘Change and continuity in the international intellectual property System: a turbulent decade in perspective’, WIPO Journal 3 (1): 36–54.
- Malhotra, Y., 2003, ‘Measuring knowledge assets of a nation: knowledge systems for development’, Ad-Hoc Group of Experts on Knowledge Systems for Development, New York.
- Martinez-Fernandez, C., and Sharpe, S., 2010, Leveraging Training and Skills Development in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMES): Preliminary Cross- country Analysis of the TSME Survey, Paris: OECD Publishing.
- Mason, J., 2002, Qualitative Researching (2nd edition), London: Sage.
- Muogbo, C.O. and Kayar, F., 2012, ‘Improving the investment climate in Nigeria: issues and policy options’, unpublished MSc thesis, Universitetet i Nordland.
- Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), 2010, Education at a Glance: OECD Indicators, Paris: OECD Development Centre. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), 2012, Education at a Glance: OECD Indicators, Paris: OECD.
- Page, S., 1994, How Developing Countries Trade, London: Routledge.
- Prasad, S.B., Pisani, M.J. and Prasad, R.M., 2008, ‘New criticism of international management: analytical review’, International Business Review 17 (6): 617–29. Pope, C. and Mays N., 2000, Qualitative Research in Health Care, London: BMJ Books.
- Quintini, G., 2011, ‘Over-qualified or under-skilled: a review of existing literature’, OECD Social, Employment and Migration Working Papers, No. 121, Paris: OECD.
- Rugraff, E. and Hansen, M., 2011, Multinational Corporations and Local Firms in Emerging Economies, Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press.
- Simatele, M., 2015, ‘Enhancing the portability of employability skills using e-portfolios’ Journal of Further and Higher Education 39 (6): 862–74.
- Siyanbola, W.O., Egbetokun, A.A., Oluseyi, I., Olamade, O.O., Aderemi, H.O. and Sanni, M., 2012, ‘Indigenous technologies and innovation in Nigeria: opportunities for SMEs’, American Journal of Industrial and Business Management 2: 64–75.
- Spero, J., and Hart, J., 1997, The Politics of International Economic Relations, London: Routledge.
- Stiglitz, J.E., 2002, ‘Employment social justice and societal well-being’, International Labour Review 141 (1/2): 9–29.
- Stiglitz, J.E., 2007, ‘Regulating multinational corporations: towards principles of cross-border legal frameworks in a globalised world – balancing rights with responsibilities’, American University Law Review 23 (3).
- Stopford, J., 1998–1999, ‘Multinational corporations’, Foreign Policy 113: 12–24.
References
Agbodike, C.C., 1998, ‘Foreign investments and the Nigerian economy: the role of multinational corporations’, Nigerian Journal of Economic History 1:162–9.
Akpomuvie, O.B., 2011, ‘The role of traditional skills and techniques in the development of modern science and technology in Africa’, International Journal of Humanities and Social Science 1 (13): 178–86.
Aniekan, E.E., 2011, ‘Poverty alleviation in Nigeria through capitalism economic framework: problems and challenges’, Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa 13(2): 181–91.
Arrighi, G., Silver, B.J. and Brewer, B.D., 2003, ‘Industrial convergence, globalization, and the persistence of the North–South divide’, Studies in Comparative International Development 38 (1): 3–31.
Babbie, E. and Mouton, J., 2001, The Practice of Social Research, Cape Town: Oxford University Press.
Bakan, J., 2004, The Corporation: The Pathological Pursuit of Profit and Power, New York: FP Free Press.
Baier, S.L., and Bergstrand, J.H., 2001, ‘The growth of world trade: tariffs, transport costs, and income similarity’, Journal of international Economics (53) 1.
Blomstrom, M. and Kokko, A., 2001, ‘FDI, human capital and education in developing countries‘, Technical Meeting, 13–14 December, OECD Development Centre: Paris.
Brewer, L., 2013, Enhancing Youth Employability: What? Why? and How? – Guide to Core Work Skills, Geneva: Skills and Employability Department International Labour Organisation.
Boddewyn, J.J., 1988, ‘Political aspects of MNE theory’, Journal of International Business Studies 19(3): 341–63.
Chase, K.A., 2004, ‘From protectionism to regionalism: multinational firms and trade-related investment measures’, Business and Politics 6 (2).
Dulupçu, M.A., and Demirel, O., 2009, ‘Globalisation and internationalisation’, Economy and Labour World, Isparta 2003–2009. Socrates Comenius, Research Report submitted to the European Commission.
Ejere, E.S.I., 2011, ‘Human capital formation as catalyst for national development: Nigerian perspective’, International Business and Management Journal 2 (2): 98–104.
Erunke, C., and Kigbu, H., 2012, ‘Globalisation, multinational corporation and the Nigerian economy’, International Journal of Social Science Tomorrow 1 (2) 61–8.
Fouda, R.A.N., 2012, ‘Protectionism and free trade: a country’s glory or doom?’,International Journal of Trade, Economics and Finance 5 (3).
Greenaway, D., 1992, ‘Trade related investment measures and development strategy’, Kyklos 45 (2): 139–59. The Guardian, 2014, ‘Nigeria overtakes South Africa to become Africa’s largest economy’, The Guardian, 7 April.
Guisinger, S.E., 1986, ‘Do performance requirements and investment incentives work?’ World economy 9(1): 79–96.
Hammarlund, P.A., 2005, Liberal Internationalism and the Decline of the State: The Thought of Richard Cobden, David Mitrany, and Kenichi Ohmae. New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
Jing, M., and Yuduo, L., 2012, ‘Free trade or protection: a literature review on trade barriers’, Research in World Economy 2(1).
Kapstein, E.B., 2002, ‘Virtuous circles? Human capital formation, economic development and the multinational enterprises’, OECD Working Paper No. 191. Research Programme on Global Interdependence and Income Distribution, August.
Kapfer, S., 2006, ‘Multinational corporations and the erosion of state sovereignty’, paper prepared for Illinois State University Conference for Students of Political Science, Illinois State University, available at pol.illinoisstate.edu, accessed 15 July 2014.
Khilji, B.A., Kakar, Z.K. and Subhan, S., 2012, ‘Impact of vocational training and skill development on economic growth in Pakistan’, World Applied Sciences Journal 17 (10): 1298–302.
Latif, A.A., 2011, ‘Change and continuity in the international intellectual property System: a turbulent decade in perspective’, WIPO Journal 3 (1): 36–54.
Malhotra, Y., 2003, ‘Measuring knowledge assets of a nation: knowledge systems for development’, Ad-Hoc Group of Experts on Knowledge Systems for Development, New York.
Martinez-Fernandez, C., and Sharpe, S., 2010, Leveraging Training and Skills Development in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMES): Preliminary Cross- country Analysis of the TSME Survey, Paris: OECD Publishing.
Mason, J., 2002, Qualitative Researching (2nd edition), London: Sage.
Muogbo, C.O. and Kayar, F., 2012, ‘Improving the investment climate in Nigeria: issues and policy options’, unpublished MSc thesis, Universitetet i Nordland.
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), 2010, Education at a Glance: OECD Indicators, Paris: OECD Development Centre. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), 2012, Education at a Glance: OECD Indicators, Paris: OECD.
Page, S., 1994, How Developing Countries Trade, London: Routledge.
Prasad, S.B., Pisani, M.J. and Prasad, R.M., 2008, ‘New criticism of international management: analytical review’, International Business Review 17 (6): 617–29. Pope, C. and Mays N., 2000, Qualitative Research in Health Care, London: BMJ Books.
Quintini, G., 2011, ‘Over-qualified or under-skilled: a review of existing literature’, OECD Social, Employment and Migration Working Papers, No. 121, Paris: OECD.
Rugraff, E. and Hansen, M., 2011, Multinational Corporations and Local Firms in Emerging Economies, Amsterdam: Amsterdam University Press.
Simatele, M., 2015, ‘Enhancing the portability of employability skills using e-portfolios’ Journal of Further and Higher Education 39 (6): 862–74.
Siyanbola, W.O., Egbetokun, A.A., Oluseyi, I., Olamade, O.O., Aderemi, H.O. and Sanni, M., 2012, ‘Indigenous technologies and innovation in Nigeria: opportunities for SMEs’, American Journal of Industrial and Business Management 2: 64–75.
Spero, J., and Hart, J., 1997, The Politics of International Economic Relations, London: Routledge.
Stiglitz, J.E., 2002, ‘Employment social justice and societal well-being’, International Labour Review 141 (1/2): 9–29.
Stiglitz, J.E., 2007, ‘Regulating multinational corporations: towards principles of cross-border legal frameworks in a globalised world – balancing rights with responsibilities’, American University Law Review 23 (3).
Stopford, J., 1998–1999, ‘Multinational corporations’, Foreign Policy 113: 12–24.