PRODUCT INNOVATION AS A TOOL FOR ACHIEVING BUSINESS GROWTH IN THE MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY (A STUDY OF UNILEVER NIGERIA PLC ABA)

ABSTRACT 
The frequent change in the environmental factors and the search for improved means of satisfying the needs and wants, of customers, call for constant product portfolio and dimensions. The discussion therefore underscore the important of product innovation as a means of sustaining growth and survival in the manufacturing industries, with particular reference to tolerance and cosmetics products. This research is intended to generally appraise the product innovation as a tool for achieving excellence in the competitive world. Based on the above purpose some literatures were reviewed to enlighten on the meaning of new product and its roles in innovating which also include the steps necessary for its initiation and adoption. More concise and comprehensive information were gathered through primary and secondary data, which help to elaborated ore on this project topic on the population, determining of sample size and the method of questionnaire distribution. Data collected were analyzed and it was accorded that firms can achieve increase in market share, through effective product innovation strategies. Finally, effective product innovation strategies following recommendation were made that the innovation planning by management must be systematically coordinated and adequate controlled.  Again, the product to be introduced must be seen to serve the real things that exist in the lasted of the consumers.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Title Pageii Approval pageiii Dedicationiv Acknowledgementv Abstractvi Table of Contentsvii
CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1Background of the study1 1.2Statement of the problem 5 1.3Objective of the study6 1.4Research Question 7 1.5Significance of the Study8 1.6Scope of the study9 1.7Definition of Terms10 Reference 
CHAPTER TWO LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1Product and New Production 13 2.2Meaning of Production Innovation 16 2.3Stages  in the Process of New production 20 2.4Adoption of Innovation 26 2.5Product life Cycle 29 2.6Reason for New Production Development 31 2.7Importance f Product Innovation32 2.8The Role of Product Innovation 37
CHAPTER THREE RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY Research Design 40 3.1Source of Data40 3.2Method of Data Collection 41 3.3Sample Size Determination 41 3.4Sampling Technique 43 3.5Research Instrument Used44
CHAPTER FOUR DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS  4.1DataPresentation and Analysis46 4.2Testing of Hypothesis 60 Reference 
CHAPTER FIVE SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION   5.1Summary of Findings 70 5.2Recommendation71 5.3Conclusion 73 Bibliography Appendix  Questionnaire