Technology Diffusion and Its Effects on Product Quality in the Informal Metalworking Sector in Kenya

This paper focuses on technology diffusion and its effects on product quality in small scale informal industries in Kenya. The research design used in the study was cross-sectional survey whereby data was collected from 112 firms out of a population of 1,076 firms in Nairobi province. The research findings show that ideas for product development in the informal metalworking sector are obtained from friends or colleagues, consultation with experts in the metalworking sector, co-operation with other firms both in the formal and informal sectors, customers and existence of training programmes for employees. Hence these results in the production of goods that varies in terms of design, variety and overall quality.