Ethical Sourcing and Corporate Reputation: Evidence from Manufacturing Firms in Delta State, Nigeria

This study investigated the impact of ethical sourcing practices, specifically Fair Labour Practices (FLP) and Community Engagement (CE), on Corporate Reputation (CR) in manufacturing firms in Delta State, Nigeria. Guided by two research questions and corresponding hypotheses, the study employed a quantitative approach, analyzing 258 valid responses using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and multiple regression techniques. Results revealed that both FLP (β = 0.2508, p < 0.01) and CE (β = 0.7382, p < 0.01) significantly enhance CR, with CE demonstrating a stronger influence. Correlation analysis confirmed positive relationships between FLP, CE, and CR, indicating that firms prioritizing fair wages, anti-discrimination policies, safe working conditions, and community initiatives like social development projects and stakeholder collaboration bolster brand integrity and crisis management capabilities. The study recommends that manufacturing firms embed ethical sourcing strategies into their corporate governance frameworks to ensure consistent, transparent engagement with employees and communities, fostering stakeholder trust and long-term sustainability. These findings underscore the need for managers to prioritize robust FLP and proactive CE initiatives in policy and practice to strengthen corporate reputation and drive sustainable business success.