Green Supply Chain Management and Economic Sustainability of Small and medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Enugu State, Nigeria

The study evaluated the effect of green supply chain management on the economic sustainability of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Enugu State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to determine the effect of green production on cost efficiency and assess the effect of green logistics on the revenue growth of SMEs in Enugu State, Nigeria. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. Primary data were collected through the administration of questionnaires. The study population comprised 3,740 staff members. A sample size of 345 was determined using Freund and William’s statistical formula. Of the questionnaires distributed, 251 were returned and correctly completed. The validity of the research instrument was assessed using content analysis, and the result was satisfactory. The reliability of the instrument was tested using the Pearson correlation coefficient (r), which yielded a reliability coefficient of 0.82, indicating good reliability. Data were presented and analysed using mean scores and standard deviations based on the four-point Likert scale. The hypotheses were tested using the Z-test statistic. The findings revealed that green production had a significant positive effect on the cost efficiency of SMEs in Enugu State, Nigeria (Z = 9.673, p < .05), while green logistics had a significant positive effect on the revenue growth of SMEs in the state (Z = 9.799, p < .05). The study concluded that green supply chain management plays an important role in promoting the economic sustainability of SMEs in Enugu State, Nigeria. Among other recommendations, the study recommended that SME owners and managers in Enugu State should adopt environmentally friendly production techniques, including the use of energy-efficient equipment, waste minimisation, and the efficient use of raw materials, to reduce production costs and improve cost efficiency.