Corporate Economic Sustainability and Competitiveness of Selected Banks in Nigeria: The Role of Female Leadership

Abstract

Corporate sustainability has become a central driver of long-term competitiveness, yet the role of female leadership in shaping sustainable outcomes within developing economies remains insufficiently explored. Prior research has emphasized the environmental, social, and economic dimensions of sustainability but has often overlooked how gender diversity in leadership may strengthen these sustainability and competitiveness linkages. This study addresses this gap by examining the mediating role of corporate sustainability, measured through economic, social, and environmental dimensions, in the relationship between female leadership and competitiveness among selected Nigerian banks. Using a cross-sectional survey design, data were collected from 247 respondents across top, middle, and lower management levels in five leading banks. Employing PROCESS Macro (Model 4, parallel mediation), both direct and indirect relationships were analyzed. The findings reveal that female leadership positively influences all dimensions of corporate sustainability, each of which significantly enhances bank competitiveness. Mediation results indicate that female leadership partially transmits the effect of corporate sustainability on competitiveness, with social sustainability exerting the strongest mediating influence. The study concludes that while female leadership directly contributes to competitiveness, its full potential is realized when integrated with sustainability-driven strategies. Practically, the study underscores the need for gender-inclusive governance and sustainability-oriented leadership development in Nigeria’s banking sector.