Practices and Perceptions of Business Ethics in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria

Glory Elias

Diplomová práce

Abstract:

The importance of ethics cannot be overemphasised in business, and in Nigeria, there is scanty academic resources exploring the perception and practice of business ethics, especially among small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This study, therefore, investigates the business ethics perception and practice among small- and medium-scale enterprises in Nigeria. This dissertation collected primary data through semi-structured interview from 10 owners (or managers) of small- and medium-sized businesses in Ogun State, Nigeria and employed thematic analysis to identify patterns and common themes focusing on their perception, experience, and implementation of business ethics. The findings of this study, hence, revealed that there is a low-to-average awareness of business ethics among small and medium enterprises in Nigeria, and that their understandings and practice of business ethics are largely limited to legal and moral standards. While the research identified challenges, such as economic pressure and unhealthy market competition, are impeding the successful implementation of business ethics in SMEs, the study has suggested ways to improve business ethics in Nigeria’s SME landscape. The research, thus, provides a foundation for further study and contributes to the evidence-based research for policymakers to promote business ethics among SMEs in Nigeria.

Keywords

Small and medium sized enterprises (SME’s), Ethics, Perception, Practices, Business ethics, Business Integrity

Jazyk práce: angličtina

Datum vytvoření / odevzdání či podání práce: 30. 3. 2024

Obhajoba závěrečné práce

• Vedoucí: Daniel Rosenhaft Swain, Ph.D. MA
• Oponent: Julita Skotarska, Ing., externi

Česká zemědělská univerzita v Praze

Provozně ekonomická fakulta

Magisterský studijní program:
Economics and Management