.

This paper investigates the gaps between research institutions and industry in R&D collaboration towards the
promotion of innovation, creativity and competitiveness among food and beverage enterprises (FBEs) in Nigeria.
This was measured by the level impact of R&D institutional support services for technological innovations in the
industry. A multi-staged sampling method was adopted to select 150 registered FBEs from three small and medium
scale enterprises (SMEs) populated States in Southwestern Nigeria with a response rate of 64% recorded. Adopting
model regression analysis, the study showed that the contributions of R&D institutions to innovative performance of
the industry was low (R2 = 0.008). However, training and information dissemination (β=36.49, P≤ 0.05) and
provision of analytical services (β = 36.67, P≤ 0.05) were found to have significant impact on the innovative
performance of the industry. No significant difference (F=0.336, P≤ 0.05) between the two methods of support
services was confirmed in the study. The study concludes that the R&D support services from research institutions to
FBEs were inadequate. Policy intervention is needed to encourage R&D institutions to adequately support the food
and beverage industry in Nigeria.