Social Sustainability Practices and Business Growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in North-Central Nigeria

This study examined social sustainability practices on business growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in North-Central Nigeria, focusing on responsible sourcing, ethical labour practices, corporate social responsibility, and the moderating role of firm size. A mixed-methods research design was adopted, combining survey data from 2,559 SMEs with qualitative interviews across seven states. Quantitative analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics and Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM), while thematic analysis provided contextual interpretations. The findings revealed that ethical labour practices and firm size were the most significant predictors of SME growth, underscoring the importance of fair wages, workplace safety, and organizational scale in driving performance. Other social sustainability practices, including responsible sourcing, and corporate social responsibility, demonstrated weaker or indirect statistical effects, though qualitative evidence highlighted their operational, reputational, and continuity benefits. The study concluded that while responsible sourcing and CSR remain constrained by financial barriers, ethical labour practices offer immediate and measurable growth outcomes. Firm size further amplifies the adoption and benefits of social sustainability, positioning larger SMEs to leverage scale for competitive advantage. The research contributes to knowledge by integrating social sustainability into SME growth models, offering both theoretical and practical insights. It recommends targeted support for SMEs through subsidies, training, concessional loans, and policy frameworks that enable inclusive and scalable adoption of social sustainability practices to foster long-term competitiveness and adaptability.