Social and Enviromental Factors of Corporate Sustainability and Performance of Plastic Manufacturing Firms

This study examines the relationship between both social and environmental factors of corporate sustainability—namely, incineration, hazard control, and personal well-being—and the operational efficiency of plastic manufacturing firms in Anambra State, Nigeria. Utilizing a descriptive survey design, the study distributed 600 questionnaires, with 560 valid responses analyzed. Statistical tools such as Spearman’s correlation and paired sample t-tests were employed to explore the relationships between the variables. Results revealed no significant relationship between incineration and operational efficiency (Spearman correlation coefficient = 0.595, t-value = 0.798, p = 0.426). Conversely, hazard control exhibited a significant positive relationship with operational efficiency (Spearman correlation coefficient = 0.017, t-value = 2.326, p = 0.001), while personal well-being also demonstrated a weak to moderatepositive correlation with operational efficiency (Spearman correlation coefficient = 0.178, t-value = 4.753, p = 0.001).The findings emphasize the importance of adopting sustainability practices, such as modern incineration technologies, effective hazard control measures, and employee-focused well-being programs, to enhance operational efficiency. Grounded in Stakeholder Theory, this study concludes that integrating environmental sustainability practices into corporate strategies fosters long-term operational excellence and compliance with global sustainability goals. Recommendations include investing in cleaner technologies, strengthening hazard control systems, and prioritizing employee well-being to drive operational efficiency and sustainability in plastic manufacturing firms.