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

Glory Elias

Master's thesis

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

Language used: English

Date on which the thesis was submitted / produced: 30. 3. 2024

Thesis defence

• Supervisor: Daniel Rosenhaft Swain, Ph.D. MA
• Reader: Julita Skotarska, Ing., externi

Czech University of Life Sciences Prague

Faculty of Economics and Management

Master programme:
Economics and Management