STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT PRACTICE AND ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY OF FOOD AND BEVERAGE FIRMS

The study examined the stakeholder management practice and economic sustainability of food and beverage firms in Enugu State. The specific objectives were to; examine the relationship between regulators and customer retention and evaluate the relationship between investors and income generation of food and beverage firms in Enugu State. The area of the study comprised of five (5) selected food and beverage firms in Enugu state. The study used the descriptive survey design approach. The primary source of data was the administration of questionnaire. A total population of 2543 selected employees of the study organizations. The adequate sample size of three hundred and thirty-six (334) using Freund and William's statistic formula at 5 percent margin of error. Three hundred and fifty-five (255) employees returned the questionnaire and accurately filled. That gave 76 percent response rate. Data was presented and analyzed by mean score and standard deviation using Sprint Likert Scale. The hypotheses were analyzed using Z – test statistic tool. The findings indicated that Regulators had significant positive relationship with the customer retention Z = 10.333, P. = 0.05 and Investors had significant positive relationship with the income generation of food and beverage firms. Z = 10.160, P. = 0.05. The study concluded that Regulators and Investors had significant positive relationship with the customer retention and income generation of food and beverage firms. The study recommended among others that food and beverage firms proactively collaborate with regulatory bodies to ensure compliance with evolving industry standards.