PERCEPTION OF BUSINESS OWNERS ON THE BENEFITS OF CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES IN MODERN BUSINESS IN BUSINESS IN BICHI, KANO

Abstract

This study investigated the extent to which small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Bichi Local Government Area of Kano State engage in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and sustainable business practices. The objectives of the study were to assess the level of awareness of CSR among business owners, examine the types of CSR practices implemented, and identify the challenges affecting the adoption of sustainable practices. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. A structured questionnaire was administered to 23 SME owners selected through purposive sampling across various business sectors, including retail, agriculture, services, and manufacturing.  Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, and mean scores. The findings revealed that most SME owners demonstrated a moderate to high level of awareness of CSR, particularly in areas related to employee welfare and community support. However, the implementation of environmental sustainability practices was relatively low. Key challenges identified included high operational costs, lack of government support, limited knowledge, and low customer demand for socially responsible behavior.  The study concluded that although SMEs in Bichi acknowledge the importance of CSR, their practices remain limited by various constraints. It recommends increased awareness campaigns, government incentives, sector-wide collaborations, and integration of CSR into entrepreneurship training as strategies to promote sustainable business behavior among SMEs in Bichi, Kano northwest Nigeria