Effect of Business Ethics on Organizational Competitive Advantage in Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Lagos, Nigeria

This study examines the effect of business ethics on organizational competitive advantage with a focus on the Nigerian Bottling Company Plc in Lagos State. The research investigates how ethical dimensions. Specifically, integrity and objectivity influence two key indicators of competitive advantage; cost reduction strategies and innovation. The objectives of the study are to examine the effect of integrity on csost reduction and assess the impact of objectivity on innovation. A descriptive survey research design was adopted. The population consisted of 480 staff members of the Nigerian Bottling Company Plc, Ikeja plant. Using Yamane’s formula, a sample size of 218 respondents was drawn through stratified random sampling to ensure adequate representation of different staff categories. A structured questionnaire based on a 5-point Likert scale was the primary instrument for data collection. The methodology involved quantitative analysis using regression statistics to test the hypotheses. Findings revealed that integrity has a significant positive effect on cost reduction strategies (β = 0.52, p < 0.05), while objectivity significantly enhances innovation (β = 0.63, p < 0.05). These results underscore the importance of ethical conduct in driving organizational efficiency and creative performance. The study concludes that business ethics are not merely compliance tools but strategic enablers of sustainable competitive advantage. It is recommended that Nigerian Bottling Company institutionalize ethics training, enforce transparent decision-making protocols, and implement monitoring systems to reinforce integrity and objectivity across all levels of operation.