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Authors
Felicia Okusiriki,
ABSTRACT
Research Objective: This study investigated how business conduct, specifically corporate governance, transparency, and regulatory compliance, impacts consumer trust in Abuja’s real estate sector.
Methodology: A structured questionnaire was administered to 326 respondents, yielding 284 valid responses for an 87% response rate. The reliability of the research instrument was verified with Cronbach’s alpha (α = 0.838), confirming strong internal consistency. Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation analysis were used to assess the relationships among the variables.
Findings: The analysis revealed that, while service quality and regulatory compliance were relatively strong, consumer trust recorded the lowest mean score, highlighting its fragility in the sector. Significant positive correlations were found between consumer trust and corporate governance (r = 0.708, p < 0.001), transparency (r = 0.787, p < 0.001), and regulatory compliance (r = 0.894, p < 0.001), with regulatory compliance emerging as the most influential predictor. This underscores the critical role of adherence to laws and standards in building resident confidence. Transparency and corporate governance were also important, reflecting the value of ethical behavior, openness, and accountability in estate management.
Conclusion: The study concludes that strengthening governance frameworks, enhancing transparency, and enforcing regulatory compliance are essential for boosting consumer trust in Abuja’s real estate sector.
Recommendations: It is recommended that policymakers reinforce institutional mechanisms to promote accountability, credibility, and long-term sustainability in the industry.
Keywords: Consumer Trust, Corporate Governance, Transparency, Regulatory Compliance, Real Estate