Title: Sustainability practices and competitive advantage: implications for listed manufacturing companies in Nigeria

Authors: Appolos Nwabuisi Nwaobia; Ishola Rufus Akintoye

Addresses: Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria ' Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria

Abstract: Scholars and practitioners have interest in the application of sustainability practices (SPR) as a tool for competitive advantage (CA) with many studies elicited, especially in the developed economies but with less emphasis in the manufacturing sector in Nigeria. This study examined the implications of adopting SPR as a tool for competitive advantage by listed manufacturing companies in Nigeria. Desk review with reliance on resource-based, legitimacy and signalling theories were engaged to evaluate the efficacy of SPR in enhancing brand value and reputation towards achieving CA. Benchmarking findings from developed economies, the study concluded that SPR is currently a top demand of stakeholders, and therefore a business imperative, which requires a management team with the updated skills and focus to benchmark global best practices for good results. This study is qualitative in nature, thus, an empirical study on the current state of sustainability practices in Nigeria is required.

Keywords: sustainability practices; SPR; competitive advantage; legitimacy theory; corporate social responsibility; ESG; resource-based theory; economic dimension; social dimension.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBEX.2024.135967

International Journal of Business Excellence, 2024 Vol.32 No.1, pp.105 - 124

Received: 13 May 2020
Accepted: 10 Jan 2021
Published online: 10 Jan 2024 *

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