EFFECT OF PUBLIC PERCEPTION ON SUSTAINABLE ACCOUNTING AND CORPORATE PERFORMANCE IN NIGERIA

This study investigates the relationship between sustainable accounting practices and corporate performance, focusing on how sustainability initiatives intersect with value creation, stakeholder satisfaction, investor reactions, and overall company performance. Utilizing survey research design, data was collected through structured questionnaires administered to selected participants directly involved in sustainability reporting within their organizations. The population of 105 respondents from different sectors of the economy was sampled (private and government workers with finance and accounting background). The descriptive statistics was used to analyze the data for the study. The result of the findings revealed that there is a growing awareness and recognition among the public that sustainability practices are important for a company’s success and can have positive impacts on brand reputation and consumer perception. Positive perception of sustainable accounting and its impact on both stakeholder satisfaction and shareholder profitability. The table suggests that the public perceives sustainable accounting as a key driver of corporate performance and an important consideration for investors. The study finds that sustainability practices have a positive and significant effect on corporate performance. Stakeholder satisfaction and investor relations was found to have a positive and insignificant effect on corporate performance. The study recommends based on the findings that companies should develop a comprehensive sustainability strategy outlining their goals for environmental, social, and governance issues. Integrating sustainability into core business operations, integrating it into values, culture, and decision-making processes, ensures long-term commitment and success.