Integrating Green Practices and Environmental Performance; Evidence from Nigeria's SME Sector

Abstract

This study analysed the elements contributing to integrating green practices and environmental performance within Nigeria's wholesale/retail and warehousing/storage sectors. Meanwhile, the target respondents consist of selected SMEs owners and managers operating in the southwest of Nigeria who know how customers behave in relation to external green supply chains, green purchasing, customer integration, and environmental performance. To measure all the variables, validated items were adapted from prior studies. Thus, 164 copies of questionnaires were retrieved from the selected managers/owners of SMEs after testing for the validity and reliability of instruments through a pilot study. The relationship between the external green supply chain and Environmental Performance was the only direct hypothesis not supported by this investigation. Specifically, A significant relationship exists between customer integration, green purchasing, and environmental performance. This study adds to the body of knowledge by demonstrating how various aspects of green practices trigger customer integration and green purchasing factors in developing nations like Nigeria. As such, it advances the understanding of the topic by illuminating how policy frameworks are developed to encourage SMEs to adopt green practices. This study will enable SMEs in developing countries to embrace green practices by transferring eco-friendly technology that can speed their integration of green practices that lack ICT skills and infrastructure. Partnerships with multinational corporations, research institutions, and international organisations can facilitate this knowledge exchange.