The Role of <scp>CEO</scp> Trust and Organizational Commitment in Advancing Sustainable Development Goal 9: Evidence From <scp>SMEs</scp> in Ghana

ABSTRACT This study examines the interaction among Chief Executive Officer Trust, organizational commitment, and sustainable infrastructure, industrialization plus innovation (SDG 9) in Ghanaian Small and Medium‐sized Enterprises. Using a stratified sampling methodology, primary data was collected from 374 Chief Executive Officers. Structural Equation Modeling was employed to analyze the multifaceted associations among the constructs, providing insights into the direct and indirect influence of Chief Executive Officer Trust on Sustainable Development Goal 9. The results reveal significant correlations between Chief Executive Officer Trust, organizational commitment, and Sustainable Development Goal 9. Notably, organizational commitment partially mediates the association between Chief Executive Officer Trust and Sustainable Development Goal 9, underscoring its crucial role in driving sustainable industrial development. This research highlights the importance of Chief Executive Officer Trust and organizational commitment in cultivating dynamic capabilities that promote sustainable development, offering valuable insights for Small and Medium‐sized Enterprise managers as well as policymakers in emerging economies like Ghana.