TECHNOPRENEURSHIP: AN INSTRUMENT FOR CONTROLLING CORRUPTION IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE

BY

CHRISTOPHER KAYODE AGHOLOR Department of Public Administration Federal Training Centre, Maiduguri

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,

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

 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.

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 in African 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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