International Journal of Business Sustainability
The International Journal of Business Sustainability (IJBS) is a peer-reviewed, platinum open-access journal that provides a platform for scholars, researchers, and practitioners to explore and advance knowledge in business sustainability. The journal aims to contribute to the development of sustainable business strategies that balance economic growth, environmental responsibility, and social well-being. IJBS publishes high-quality, original research that integrates sustainability into various business disciplines, fostering discussions on innovative approaches, emerging trends, and best practices that drive sustainable business transformation. The journal encourages theoretical, empirical, and applied research that provides insights into how businesses can adopt sustainability principles to create long-term value. IJBS welcomes interdisciplinary research that addresses key aspects of business sustainability, including but not limited to the following areas: Business Management and Sustainable Strategy – Research on how organizations integrate sustainability into corporate strategies, leadership, and decision-making to achieve long-term success. 1. Circular Economy and Green Innovation – Studies on resource efficiency, waste reduction, sustainable production, and innovative business models that support circular economy principles. 2. Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Practices – Investigations into the role of ESG frameworks in corporate decision-making, sustainability reporting, and stakeholder engagement. 3. Ethical Business and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) – Analysis of ethical business conduct, corporate accountability, and social impact initiatives that contribute to responsible business practices. 4. Sustainable Accounting, Finance, and Green Investment – Research on sustainability accounting standards, financial performance, and the role of green finance and impact investing in driving sustainable business growth. 5. Sustainable Operations and Supply Chain Management – Strategies for integrating sustainability into supply chains, logistics, and operational processes to minimize environmental and social impacts. 6. Renewable Energy and Business Sustainability – The role of renewable energy in enhancing corporate sustainability, reducing carbon footprints, and promoting energy efficiency in business operations. 7. Consumer Behavior in Green Markets – Insights into sustainable consumption patterns, consumer preferences for eco-friendly products, and the impact of green marketing strategies. 8. Digital Transformation and Sustainability – The role of digital technologies, artificial intelligence, and data analytics in promoting sustainability and driving sustainable business practices. 9. Policy, Regulation, and Governance in Sustainable Business – Examination of governmental policies, international regulations, and governance frameworks that shape business sustainability and corporate responsibility.
Articles
20 Documents
<![CDATA[Comparative bibliometric analysis of halal tourism research trends in Indonesia and Malaysia ]]>
<![CDATA[Saleh, Husny Gibreel Musa]]>
<![CDATA[ International Journal of Business Sustainability Vol. 1 No. 2 (2025): Nov ]]>
Publisher : <![CDATA[UIR PRESS ]]>
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DOI: 10.25299/ijbs.2025.22326
<![CDATA[Purpose: This study aims to map the global research landscape on halal tourism and identify key trends, contributors, and emerging themes from 2003 to 2023. The research seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of the development and direction of halal tourism studies worldwide.Design/methodology/approach: A bibliometric analysis was conducted using data extracted from the Scopus database. The dataset comprised 1,702 scholarly articles related to halal tourism. VOSviewer software was employed to visualize bibliometric networks, including authorship, institutional, and keyword relationships.Findings: The results reveal that Malaysia leads in halal tourism research with 457 publications, followed by Universiti Teknologi MARA, as the most productive institution, and Zailani, S., as the most prolific author, contributing 204 articles with 8,326 citations. The Journal of Islamic Marketing published the most articles (469), while the IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science recorded the highest average citations per item. Four major research clusters were identified, reflecting the thematic evolution of halal tourism scholarship.Limitations and Research implications: The analysis is limited to publications indexed in Scopus, which may exclude relevant studies from other databases. Future research could integrate additional sources to provide a broader scope and conduct deeper thematic or qualitative analyses.Practical Implications: The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, tourism developers, and academics in formulating strategies for halal tourism promotion and innovation.Originality/value: This study offers one of the most comprehensive bibliometric mappings of halal tourism research, presenting a clear overview of its intellectual structure and future research directions. ]]>
<![CDATA[Effect of financial inclusion on maize productivity among rural farming households in Ankpa local government area of Kogi State, Nigeria ]]>
<![CDATA[Sunday Moses, Oluyomi]]>;
<![CDATA[Opeyemi, Gbenga]]>;
<![CDATA[Salifu, Ojonugwa Japheth]]>
<![CDATA[ International Journal of Business Sustainability Vol. 1 No. 2 (2025): Nov ]]>
Publisher : <![CDATA[UIR PRESS ]]>
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DOI: 10.25299/ijbs.2025.22377
<![CDATA[Purpose: Farmers' inadequate access to formal financial services has been reported to impede their ability to purchase improved seeds, fertilizers, and equipment, necessary for increasing productivity in Nigeria. However, the paucity of empirical evidence on the effect of financial inclusion on productivity among rural farming households in Kogi State constitutes a gap in the literature.Design/methodology/approach: This study used primary data gathered through questionnaires. A multi-stage sampling method was applied to select the research participants. The data collected were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical methods.Findings: Most of the maize farmers were men (52.78%), married (57.64%), and still within their active working age. Most households had between 4 and 6 members. The results showed that Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), savings accounts, Point of Sale (POS) services, visits to the bank, and online transfers had distributions of 89.58%, 81.25%, 80.56%, 86.81%, and 43.66%, respectively. Most households fall within the low (38.89%) and medium (29.86%) inclusion categories. The study also found that age, gender, education level, household size, and access to financial services were the main factors influencing farmers` maize productivity in the area.Limitations and Research implications: The study utilized cross-sectional data, it is limited in that it does not show the time effect of the effect of financial inclusion on maize productivity.Practical Implications: The findings of the study showed that having access to financial services had a strong and positive effect on maize production among rural farming families. Therefore, it is important to increase efforts to include more farming households in the financial system, as this can help improve their agricultural productivity.Originality/value: This study served as eye opener to practitioners and relevant stakeholders of the effect of financial inclusion on rural smallholder farmers’ productivity ]]>
<![CDATA[Evidence on the impact of corporate governance on bank performance from deposit money banks in Sub-Saharan Africa ]]>
<![CDATA[Saka, Ayotunde Qudus]]>;
<![CDATA[Zhang, Xin]]>
<![CDATA[ International Journal of Business Sustainability Vol. 1 No. 1 (2025): July ]]>
Publisher : <![CDATA[UIR PRESS ]]>
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DOI: 10.25299/ijbs.2025.22382
<![CDATA[Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate how corporate governance traits affect the financial performance of banks in the sub-Saharan African region from 2008 to 2022.Methodology/Design/Approach: The performance of a few chosen banks in Sub-Saharan Africa is examined in relation to corporate governance using static panel regression analysis. The following variables were used to present corporate governance in the study: board size (BDS), board gender diversity (BGD), board independence (BDI), number of audit committee meetings (NAM), and number of foreign members on the board (SFM). Return on assets (ROA) was employed as the dependent variable. Fixed effect (FE), random effect (RE), and common effect (CE) estimators were used with static panel data. The model estimate procedure is based on the 'Log-Lin' specification. The estimation includes eleven (11) models, ten of which relate to the individual country and one that captures the SSA countries used in this study.Finding: The FE effect estimator seems to be more efficient than the RE estimator overall, according to the all-country specification. In assessing the study's goal, the fixed effect estimator is thus selected. Regarding the country, the RE estimator worked well for Ghana and Kenya. The selected banks in Ghana and Kenya, according to the aforementioned, have distinct organisational cultures and management philosophies. Conversely, for the other selected countries, the common effect (CE) or pooled OLS estimator appears to be useful, suggesting that the selected banks in those countries have similar organisational principles as those listed in the appendix section. Consequently, the selected estimators for every country were used to evaluate the connection between financial success and corporate governance.Originality/Value: Corporate governance and bank performance topics are well grounded in literature with evidence from developed countries. However, there is a darth in developing countries particularly in the sub-Saharan African region. This study presents multi-country empirical evidence within the SSAs which gives the study more samples, this study makes use of balance data from 2008 to 2022 being the latest data coverage from SSA, and no prior research has examined the impact of corporate governance mechanisms on bank performance in the SSA region through the use of multi-country samples.]]>
<![CDATA[Relationship between Technical Reserves and Solvency Margin: Evidence from Selected Non-life Insurance Companies in Nigeria ]]>
<![CDATA[Dansu, Francis]]>;
<![CDATA[Abass, Olufemi]]>;
<![CDATA[Fabiyi, Jimoh]]>;
<![CDATA[Olubusade, Temidayo]]>
<![CDATA[ International Journal of Business Sustainability Vol. 1 No. 3 (2026): Mar ]]>
Publisher : <![CDATA[UIR PRESS ]]>
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DOI: 10.25299/ijbs.2026.22447
<![CDATA[Purpose: This study investigates the relationship between technical reserves and solvency margins among non-life insurance companies in Nigeria. It aims to determine whether the composition and level of technical reserves significantly influence insurers’ solvency positions and financial stability. Design/methodology/approach: From a population of 40 non-life insurance companies, a purposive sample of 10 firms representing over 60% of the industry’s market share was selected. Secondary data were obtained from annual financial reports and analyzed using E-Views software. Multiple regression analysis was employed to test the study’s hypotheses and examine the effect of technical reserve components on solvency margins. Findings: The results reveal that technical reserves do not have a statistically significant effect on solvency margins. This indicates that current reserve levels or compositions may not be adequately aligned with solvency requirements in the Nigerian non-life insurance sector. Limitations and Research implications: The study is limited to ten insurers and may not fully capture industry-wide variations. Future research could incorporate more firms, longer timeframes, and post-regulatory-reform datasets to deepen understanding of reserve adequacy. Practical Implications: The findings suggest the need for insurers to reassess reserve management strategies and for regulators to strengthen supervisory mechanisms. NAICOM may consider revising solvency margin standards to reflect the differing impacts of reserve classes. Originality/value: This study provides rare empirical evidence on the reserve–solvency relationship in Nigeria’s non-life insurance industry and highlights the importance of reserve composition in shaping solvency outcomes in emerging markets.]]>
<![CDATA[Impact of artificial intellegence on customer engagement from selected banks in Abuja Metropolis, Nigeria: a mediating role of personalization ]]>
<![CDATA[Abinabo, Pere]]>;
<![CDATA[Nuhu Shagari , Jibrin]]>;
<![CDATA[Mashi, Munir Shehu]]>
<![CDATA[ International Journal of Business Sustainability Vol. 1 No. 2 (2025): Nov ]]>
Publisher : <![CDATA[UIR PRESS ]]>
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DOI: 10.25299/ijbs.2025.22584
<![CDATA[Purpose: The objective of this research is to explore how Artificial Intelligence applications drive customer engagement in selected Deposit Money Banks in Abuja Metropolis, through the mediating influence of personalization. The research is grounded in the Technology Acceptance Model, aiming to explore how chatbot and biometric technologies influence customer engagement through the lens of personalization.Design/methodology/approach: The study employed a cross-sectional survey design, targeting online retail customers of five banks Access Bank, First Bank, GTBank, United Bank for Africa, and Zenith Bank within the Abuja Municipal Area Council. A total sample size of 119 respondents involved in the study. The data were collected via a structured five-point Likert scale questionnaire and analysed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM).Findings: The results revealed that Biometric Authentication has a positive and significant effect on customer engagement. Chatbots have a negative but significant effect on customer engagement. Personalization has a negative and non-significant effect on customer engagement. For the mediating relationship, personalization does not mediate the relationship between biometric authentication and customer engagement. Personalization does not serve as a mediator between chat-bots and customer engagementLimitations and Research implications: The study is limited to online retail customers of five banks within a single geographical area (Abuja), which may affect the generalizability of the findings. Future research could expand the geographic scope and consider longitudinal data to observe trends over time.Practical Implications: The findings suggest the need for banks to develop a comprehensive AI strategy that cohesively integrates chatbots, biometric systems, and personalized services to enhance customer engagement. Emphasis should be placed on improving the effectiveness and customer perception of biometric technologies.Originality/value: This study contributes to the growing literature on AI adoption in banking by empirically validating the role of personalization as a mediator in the relationship between AI tools and customer engagement. It also extends the application of the Technology Acceptance Model in the context of AI-driven banking services in Nigeria]]>
<![CDATA[Self-service business intelligence and customer satisfaction: The moderating effects of independent non-technical users ]]>
<![CDATA[Adeyemi, Omolade Sunday]]>;
<![CDATA[Segun, Aderibigbe Ademola]]>;
<![CDATA[Olasoji, Olubiyi Timilehin]]>;
<![CDATA[Oluwafemi, Oketola Kehinde]]>
<![CDATA[ International Journal of Business Sustainability Vol. 1 No. 1 (2025): July ]]>
Publisher : <![CDATA[UIR PRESS ]]>
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DOI: 10.25299/ijbs.2025.22585
<![CDATA[Purpose: Purpose: The study examines how self-service business intelligence affects customer satisfaction in terms of system quality, user training effectiveness, data accessibility, and the moderating effect of non-technical user. It aims to clarify the relationships between these variables and how they affect the experiences of customers in businesses that use self-service business intelligence tools in technology-based small businesses in Lagos State Nigeria. Design/methodology/approach: The study adopts quantitative research design using survey method, The sample size of 250 was established with the Research Advisor Table, with a confidence level of 95% and a margin of error of 5%. To mitigate the problem of non-response, suitable actions were implemented, resulting in the incorporation of an extra 75 respondents, constituting 30% of the initial sample. The modification yielded a final sample size of 325 from various industries including retail, finance, manufacturing and healthcare. A structured and validated closed-ended questionnaire was used for data collection. A total of 300 copies of the questionnaire were filled and returned for analysis, with a response rate of 92.0%. Relationships between constructs, the moderating effect of non-technical user independence and customer satisfaction were investigated using regression analysis. Findings: Findings show that customer satisfaction is greatly impacted by self-service business intelligence (system quality, user training effectiveness, and data accessibility) of technology-based small firms in Lagos State Nigeria. The inverse relationship between the moderating role of non-technical user independence shows that a greater degree of independence combined with less support may result in mistakes that reduce customer satisfaction. Limitations and Research Implications: Future research should adopt constructs that were not used in this study.Practical implications: The study's practical application indicates that in order to assist non-technical end users in handling data responsibly, organisations should invest in robust self-service business intelligence systems, extensive training programs, and easy access to data in addition to support mechanisms. Originality/value: The study sheds light on the intricacy of self-service business intelligence and customer satisfaction with a focus on independent non-technical user. It provides practitioners and scholars looking to maximise the usage of self-service business intelligence with enlightening inputs.]]>
<![CDATA[Creating an artificial intelligence-ready organizational culture: harmonizing human existence with AI strategic decision-making ]]>
<![CDATA[Yunusa, Edime]]>
<![CDATA[ International Journal of Business Sustainability Vol. 1 No. 1 (2025): July ]]>
Publisher : <![CDATA[UIR PRESS ]]>
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DOI: 10.25299/ijbs.2025.22671
<![CDATA[Purpose: This paper explored how organizations can develop an AI-ready organizational culture that harmonizes human expertise with artificial intelligence in strategic decision-making. It aims to show that successful AI implementation requires cultural alignment between human capability and technological innovation.Design/methodology/approach: The paper adopted a secondary method by gathering data from books, seminar papers, reports, documentaries, and various online materials. It uses secondary data sources and applies the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) to examine how organizations perceive and integrate AI with human input.Findings: The study revealed that AI systems are more successful in sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, and education when they are designed to complement human abilities rather than replace them. The integration of knowledge management systems and collaborative workflows between humans and AI contributes to enhanced organizational performance.Limitations and Research implications: As the paper relied heavily on secondary data, primary empirical validation is limited. Future research should include field studies or surveys to validate the conceptual framework and explore sector-specific challenges in greater detail.Practical Implications: Organizations must implement holistic change management strategies that address both technological and human dimensions of AI adoption. This includes marketing AI’s value, investing in employee training, and fostering a sense of ownership and accountability in AI-related projects.Originality/value: This paper contributes to the growing discourse on sociotechnical alignment in AI implementation by highlighting the role of organizational culture in supporting human-AI collaboration. It provides a novel perspective on cultural readiness for AI, emphasizing synergy rather than substitution.]]>
<![CDATA[Synchronization of Technological Innovation and Regulation in Biomass Utilization: A Bibliometric-Systematic Study ]]>
<![CDATA[Santoso, Widi Banu]]>;
<![CDATA[Muhammad Nur Syukri]]>
<![CDATA[ International Journal of Business Sustainability Vol. 1 No. 1 (2025): July ]]>
Publisher : <![CDATA[UIR PRESS ]]>
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DOI: 10.25299/ijbs.2025.22990
<![CDATA[Purpose: This study aims to synthesize global trends, key themes, and collaboration patterns in biomass energy studies, particularly those related to public policy and regulation. Particular focus is placed on the role of developing countries in this scientific discourse.Design/methodology/approach: A Bibliometric-Systematic Literature Review (B-SLR) approach was used, analyzing 308 Scopus-indexed articles published between 2010 and 2025. The process involved metadata refining (using biblioMagika® and OpenRefine) and visual mapping (VOSviewer) to illustrate keyword networks, institutional collaborations, and thematic clustering.Findings: There has been a significant surge in publications and citations related to biomass and energy policy. Dominant themes include sustainability, bioenergy, and energy governance. However, a fragmentation between technical and policy research, as well as an imbalance in contributions between developed and developing countries, was found.Limitations and Research implications: This study only used data from one database and, therefore, may have missed relevant publications from other sources. Further studies are needed to measure the effectiveness of biomass policies in local contexts.Practical Implications: These findings can inform policymakers' design of more inclusive and evidence-based biomass energy regulations and encourage collaboration across countries and disciplines.Originality/value: This paper contributes original value by combining bibliometric methods and systematic reviews to uncover thematic and spatial gaps in the global biomass literature.]]>
<![CDATA[The moderating effect of top management environmental awareness on the relationship between circular economy practices and circular economy performance: insights from the Iraqi oil and gas industry ]]>
<![CDATA[Abdulameer, Susan Sabah]]>;
<![CDATA[Munadhil Ibrahim, Yousif]]>;
<![CDATA[Ali, Layla Laftah]]>;
<![CDATA[Al-Attar, Alhasan Ali Abdulkareem]]>;
<![CDATA[Hami, Norsiah]]>;
<![CDATA[Yaacob, Noorulsadiqin Azbiya Yaacob]]>
<![CDATA[ International Journal of Business Sustainability Vol. 1 No. 1 (2025): July ]]>
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DOI: 10.25299/ijbs.2025.23057
<![CDATA[Purpose: This study investigates how circular economy practices (CEPs) influence circular economy performance (CEP), with a particular focus on the direct and moderating roles of Top Management Environmental Awareness (TMEA) in the Iraqi oil and gas industry. The aim is to understand the mechanisms that enhance sustainability performance through operational and cognitive factors.Design/methodology/approach: A quantitative approach was employed using a cross-sectional survey of professionals in the Iraqi oil and gas sector. Data from 130 respondents was analyzed through Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) using SmartPLS 4 to examine relationships among variables and test moderation effects.Findings: The findings reveal that CEPs significantly enhance CEP, and TMEA not only positively influences CEP but also strengthens the relationship between CEPs and CEP. These results underscore the joint importance of circular practices and strategic environmental leadership in advancing sustainability outcomes.Limitations and Research Implications: The study is limited by its focus on a single sector and geographical context, potentially constraining generalizability. It encourages future research to explore longitudinal designs and examine other contextual moderators such as organizational culture or external stakeholder pressure.Practical Implications: The results highlight the necessity for managers and policymakers to invest in leadership development programs that foster environmental awareness. Strengthening TMEA can amplify the performance gains derived from CE initiatives, particularly in resource-intensive industries.Originality/value: This study contributes to the literature by integrating leadership cognition with circular economy implementation, providing novel insights into how managerial awareness enhances the impact of circular practices on performance.]]>
<![CDATA[Military expenditure and economic growth in West and Central Africa: Empirical insights from a dynamic panel framework ]]>
<![CDATA[Ndidi, Chinonyelum Christiana]]>;
<![CDATA[Oniore, Jonathan]]>;
<![CDATA[Algbedion, Marvelous Isibor]]>
<![CDATA[ International Journal of Business Sustainability Vol. 1 No. 2 (2025): Nov ]]>
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DOI: 10.25299/ijbs.2025.23066
<![CDATA[Purpose: This study investigates the nexus between military expenditure and economic growth in eight West and Central African countries (2000–2023). It addresses the ongoing debate about whether government spending on defense stimulates growth by enhancing security or stifles it by crowding out investments in social services and productive sectors.Design/methodology/approach: A quantitative panel data analysis was conducted using the Panel Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares (DOLS) technique.Findings: The military expenditure (% of GDP) showed a positive but statistically insignificant long-run relationship with economic growth. By implication, the military expenditure and economic growth nexus may be influenced by other, unobserved factors. Gross fixed capital formation and labour force participation were significant positive drivers of growth, with labour being the strongest contributor. Inflation exerted a negative, statistically insignificant effect on growth.Limitations and Research implications: The statistical insignificance of military spending and inflation weakens causal inferences. Small sample size limits generalizability. Omitted variables (e.g., institutional quality, conflict intensity) may bias results. Key factors such as level of corruption, rule of law, and the nature of security threats will likely bias the results.Practical Implications: Governments may cautiously increase military spending to leverage its positive (though weak) association with growth, but must avoid diverting funds from critical social sectors. Policymakers should prioritize human capital development (labour force quality) and physical infrastructure (capital formation), the primary growth engines identified. Central banks should tighten monetary policy (e.g., raise interest rates) to curb inflation’s growth-dampening effects.Originality/value: This study provides novel empirical evidence on military-growth dynamics in understudied West/Central African economies. Challenges conventional "crowding-out" assumptions by revealing a non-harmful (though non-robust) link between defense spending and growth. Offers region-specific policy pathways for balancing security needs with human/physical capital investments.]]>
