Impact of Fraud Risk Management and Sustainability of Small and Medium Enterprises in Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study are to: to assess the effect of fraud risk Management and the sustainability of SMEs in Nigeria; to find out whether there exist relationship between employee’s education and anti-fraud programs among SMEs in Abuja Metropolis, Nigeria; to examine whether there exist relationship between SMEs in Abuja metropolis and anonymous way of reporting suspected violations of the ethics and anti-fraud programs; and to investigate the nature of relationship between fraud incidents and SMEs in Abuja Metropolis, Nigeria. Methodology: The study made use of survey research design and regression and correlation analysis was used to test the hypotheses raised. The study made use of survey research design and regression and correlation analysis was used to test the hypotheses raised. Theoretical Framework: this study adopted the model of Carter & Rodgers (2008) which was designed on the basis for organisation to move from a separate thrive to achieve sustainability to a more collaborative approach. Findings: Thus, the hypotheses of the study were specified in their null form and were tested using multiple linear regression model and Pearson Product Moment Correlation Analysis. The results of the test were evaluated at 5 percent level. After evaluation of the hypotheses, the findings show that Fraud risk Management has significant effect on the sustainability of SMEs in Abuja Metropolis, Nigeria, the present fraud risk management is effective for the sustainability, effective fraud risk management is key for the survival of my SME, and SMEs in Abuja Metropolis are working in compliance with fraud policies, there is a significant positive relationship between employee’s education and anti-fraud programs among SMEs in Abuja Metropolis, Nigeria, there is a strong positive relationship between education of employees on the importance of ethics and anti-fraud programs and provision of anonymous way to report suspected violations by SMEs. Education of employee has positive and significant relationship with fraud incident among SMEs in Abuja Metropolis, there is no significant relationship between SMEs in Abuja metropolis and anonymous way of reporting suspected violations of the ethics and anti-fraud programs. Conclusion: There is significant relationship between fraud incidents and SMEs in Abuja Metropolis, Nigeria. The therefore recommends that efforts should be made to educate SMEs on how to tackle fraud related risk and SMEs should endavour to share ideas among themselves to enable them properly manage fraud risk.