Abstract
This research investigates the factors influencing the adoption and implementation of sustainability practices and processes in the manufacturing and business operations of organisations in the Nigerian Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector. The study is driven by global calls for sustainable industrial practices, this study seeks to understand how internal factors (such as organisational characteristics, culture, resources, and leadership commitment) and external pressures (regulations, consumer expectations, and competitive forces) shape corporate responses to sustainability drivers. The research aims to explore the drivers, barriers, and organizational responses to sustainability is essential for promoting long-term environmental and economic resilience, within this context.The study is grounded in the theoretical frameworks of the Triple Bottom Line (TBL), Stakeholder Theory, Resource Based View, and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), the research adopts a sequential exploratory mixed-methods approach. The qualitative phase involved 14 semi-structured interviews with mid-to-senior level executives from various FMCG companies, while the quantitative phase included a survey-based questionnaire with 224 valid responses analysed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM).
The key findings reveal that regulatory frameworks, consumer awareness, investor and industry competition, international standards, and leadership commitment are primary drivers of sustainability practices. Organizational characteristics such as size, structure, culture, and leadership commitment/engage significantly influence the adoption of these practices. Conversely, barriers such as regulatory challenges, bureaucratic hurdles, low market awareness, and financial constraints hinder the effective implementation of sustainability initiatives. The study also finds that larger firms with more resources and stronger leadership commitment are more likely to integrate sustainability into core business operations.
The research contributes to the existing body of knowledge by highlighting the importance of tailored strategies for developing countries and underscores the need for a holistic approach that considers both internal and external drivers and barriers. The study also offers practical recommendations for policymakers, industry leaders, and stakeholders to enhance the adoption of sustainable practices in business processes.
This thesis underscores the critical role of sustainability in the FMCG sector and provides valuable insights into the unique challenges and opportunities by offering empirical evidence from a developing country context. This research contributes to the limited body of literature on sustainability in the Global South. It provides practical recommendations for Nigerian FMCG firms, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to advance sustainability practices, and lays a foundation for tailored, context-specific sustainability frameworks in emerging markets. It addresses the gaps in understanding the influence of organizational characteristics on sustainability practices, this research offers a significant contribution to the field and paves the way for future studies on sustainability in emerging markets.
| Date of Award | 2025 |
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| Original language | English |
| Awarding Institution |
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| Supervisor | Charles Thornton (Director of Studies (First Supervisor)), Jonathan Lean (Other Supervisor) & Lise Hunter (Other Supervisor) |