Green Entrepreneurship Practices and the Sustainability of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Sustainability Practices and their Influence on Entrepreneurial Success: A Study of SMES in Lagos, Nigeria's Green Economy

This study examines the influence of sustainability practices on entrepreneurial success among Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) operating within Lagos State, Nigeria’s emerging green economy. Using a descriptive survey design, data were collected from 120 SME owners through structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics. The findings reveal that sustainability practices—such as waste management, energy efficiency, and eco-friendly production—are moderately to highly adopted among SMEs. These practices were found to significantly enhance operational efficiency, profitability, competitive advantage, and overall business performance, thereby contributing positively to entrepreneurial success.However, the study also identifies key challenges hindering effective adoption, including limited financial resources, high implementation costs, inadequate knowledge and awareness, insufficient government support, and regulatory uncertainties. Despite these barriers, the results underscore the strategic importance of sustainability as both an environmental and economic driver for SME growth.The study concludes that integrating sustainability into core business operations can improve long-term viability and competitiveness of SMEs. It recommends increased policy support, access to green financing, and capacity-building initiatives to promote sustainable entrepreneurship in Nigeria’s green economy.

Effect if Entrepreneurial Capability and Sustainability of Small and Medium Enterprises in South East Nigeria

The study evaluated the effect of entrepreneurial capability and economic sustainability of Small and Medium Enterprises in South East, Nigeria The study adopted simple random sampling technique in selecting the sample unit and the sample size for the study which was, 266 staff out of a total population of 863 of of Small and Medium Enterprises in South East, Nigeria derived with the use of Ferund Williams formula. A total of 238 employees returned the questionnaire accurately filled, which gave 89 percent response rate. Data were presented and analyzed using mean score and standard deviation using Sprint Likert Scale. The hypotheses were analyzed using the Z – test. The findings indicated that Creativity had significant positive relationship with waste reduction Z = 6.223 < 8.686, p. >. 05. Leadership Skills had significant positive relationship with cost maintenance of Small and Medium Enterprises in South East, Nigeria. Z = 7.163 < 9.691, p. >. 05. The study concluded that creativity and leadership skills had significant positive relationship with waste reduction and cost maintenance of Small and Medium Enterprises in South East, Nigeria. The study recommended among others that to enhance the sustainability of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in South East Nigeria,the entrepreneurs should prioritize fostering creativity within their businesses.

Determinants of the adoption of green business practices among small and medium enterprises: The case of Addis Ababa city, Ethiopia

Working Capital Management Practices and Operational Efficiency of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Oyo State, Nigeria

This study examines the effect of working capital management on the operational efficiency of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Oyo State, Nigeria. The study adopted a quantitative descriptive survey design to examine the effect of working capital management on the operational efficiency of SMEs in Oyo State, Nigeria. The population comprised 1,018 employees from nine purposively selected manufacturing SMEs across three LGAs that is Oluyole, Ibadan South West, and Ibadan South East. Using Yamane’s (1967) formula at a 95% confidence level, a stratified random sample of 287 respondents was selected to ensure proportional representation. Data were collected via a structured, expert-validated questionnaire adapted from Williams (2025). A pilot test with 30 participants informed refinement, and reliability was confirmed with Cronbach’s alpha values ranging from 0.79 to 0.88. Data were analysed using simple percentages for demographics and regression analysis with SPSS to test the stated hypotheses. The findings indicate statistically significant positive relationships between working capital management practices and operational efficiency across all objectives. Cash management habits demonstrated a strong positive effect (R = 0.631, R² = 0.398, F(1, 285) = 188.099, β = 0.631, t = 13.715, p < 0.001, mean = 3.76 ± 0.56), suggesting that effective cash handling substantially enhances efficiency. Inventory management practices exerted an even greater influence (R = 0.666, R² = 0.443, F(1, 285) = 226.759, β = 0.666, t = 15.059, p < 0.001, mean = 3.78 ± 0.53), Accounts payable management exhibited the strongest impact (R = 0.711, R² = 0.505, F(1, 285) = 291.300, β = 0.711, t = 17.068, p < 0.001, mean = 3.76 ± 0.58), indicating that timely and strategic payment practices reinforce supplier relationships and cash flow stability. Accounts receivable management also showed a significant positive effect (R = 0.577, R² = 0.333, F(1, 285) = 142.421, β = 0.577, t = 11.934, p < 0.001, mean = 3.78 ± 0.46), demonstrating that prompt collections and appropriate credit policies maintain liquidity. The study concludes that effective working capital management is vital for improving SME operational efficiency. Recommendations include implementing systematic cash flow forecasting, inventory control, and adopting digital tools to optimise financial processes.

Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainable Business Practices in Oil-Bearing Communities of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. A Study of Ikot Abasi Local Government Area

This study examined the relationship between corporate social responsibility and sustainable business practices among oil companies in Ikot Abasi, Nigeria, with specific focus on environmental degradation, inadequate infrastructure, and limited access to essential services. Primary data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered to 390 respondents, with 338 successfully retrieved (86% response rate). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and regression analysis. The findings revealed a very strong positive relationship between environmental degradation and sustainable business practices (R = 0.875, R² = 0.766), with environmental degradation having a statistically significant positive effect (β = 0.832, p < 0.05). Similarly, inadequate infrastructure demonstrated a very strong positive relationship with sustainable business practices (R = 0.904, R² = 0.817) and a significant positive effect (β = 0.890, p < 0.05). The majority of respondents acknowledged that environmental pollution (70.7%), infrastructure inadequacies (78.9%), and limited access to essential services significantly affect business operations. The study concluded that environmental degradation and infrastructure deficits are key drivers of sustainable business practices in the area. Recommendations include strengthening environmental regulations, investing in infrastructure development, enhancing CSR initiatives, promoting public-private partnerships, building local capacity, conducting regular environmental audits, and strengthening community engagement.

Microfinance Financing, Procurement Capability, and Enterprise Sustainability: Evidence from Small and Medium Enterprises in Nigeria

The Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria are important contributors to employment, poverty alleviation, income generation and economic development. Despite this, however, there remain sustainability issues for many of the SMEs, stemming from a lack of funds and inadequate operational skills, including procurement. In this study, the researcher studied the financing of SMEs by microfinance banks, procurement competence and sustainability of SMEs in Kwara State, Nigeria. The study used a cross sectional survey research design. The data was collected using a structured questionnaire which was given to the owners and managers of the SMEs in the sixteen Local Government Areas of Kwara State. A total of 250 questionnaires were sent out and 218 valid questionnaires were analysed, with a valid response rate of 87.2%. Data analysis was done using descriptive statistics and regression analysis. The results indicated that business loan was the most accessed microfinance service with a mean score of 4.21 followed by savings service with a mean score of 3.96. The supplier selection capability was the highest among all procurement capabilities, with a mean score of 4.08, whereas price negotiation, with a mean score of 3.91, was the second highest. The regression results showed that microfinance financing significantly affected enterprise sustainability, R² = 0.375, p < 0.05, and procurement capability also significantly affected the enterprise sustainability, R² = 0.428, p < 0.05. Microfinance financing capability and procurement capability accounted for 52.0% of the variance in enterprise sustainability (R² = 0.520 at p < 0.05). The study found that access to finance is not the only factor that drives SME sustainability, but the capability of the SMEs in procurement is also a factor. It suggested more access to microfinance, procurement training and integrated microfinance support programmes in all the local governments of Kwara State.