Social Intelligence and Social Sustainability of Manufacturing Firms in Akwa Ibom State

Abstract

The study was conducted to examine the social intelligence and social sustainability of manufacturing firms in Akwa Ibom State. Two specific objectives were developed, which metamorphosed into four research questions and four research hypotheses. A survey research design was adapted for the study. The population of the study consisted of two hundred and forty-eight (248) staff of manufacturing firms in Akwa Ibom State. The sample size was 153 staff using Taro Yamenes sampling technique. A questionnaire was used as the instrument for data collection. The hypotheses were tested using the Pearson Product Moment Correlation statistic (PPMC), which was used to test the hypotheses supported by Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS version 23). The result shows that there is a significant relationship between situational awareness and social sustainability (r = 0.847, p 0.001) and that there is a significant relationship between social skills and social sustainability (r = 0.682, p 0.003). Based on the findings, the study concluded that there is a significant relationship between social intelligence and the social sustainability of manufacturing firms in Akwa Ibom State. Thus, the study recommended that manufacturing firms should develop situational awareness by prioritizing the well-being of their employees and implementing welfare programs that promote a healthy work-life balance. They should actively engage with the employees and the local community to understand their needs and concerns. They should develop social skills by maintaining transparent and open communication channels with their employees, customers, and stakeholders to enhance their social intelligence and contribute to social sustainability, which will improve their overall business performance.