Environmental Conservation Costs and Performance of Manufacturing Companies Listed in Nigeria

Abstract

The performance of manufacturing companies has become something worrisome as performance has been on the decline over years from Accounting literature. Nigerian businesses do not have access to environmental accounting guidelines or pollution cost guidelines for communicating with various stakeholder groups; however, the government has made efforts to enact laws to improve environmental sustainability in Nigeria. This study investigated the effect of Environmental Conservation Cost on financial performance of listed manufacturing firms in Nigeria. An ex-post facto research design was used in the study. The study population consisted of 35 consumer firms as of December 31, 2021. A sample size of 10 firms was chosen using a purposive sampling technique for the 10 years (2012-2021). Data were sourced from annual reports, and their accuracy and reliability were certified by external auditors. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential (multiple regression) statistics at a 0.05 level of significance. The study found that Environmental Conservation Cost had a significant effect on Earnings per Share and Net Profit Margin of listed firms respectively (Adj R2 = 0.766, F- Stat (5,96) = 35.460, p < 0.05); (Adj R2 = 0.813, F- Stat (5,96) = 82.153, p < 0.05). The study concluded that Environmental Conservation Costs had a significant effect on the financial performance of listed manufacturing firms in Nigeria. The study recommended that the Management of firms should allocate more resources to training and engagement cost to foster innovation, improve operational efficiency, stay competitive in the market and experience improved financial performance.