The Role of Business Ethics in Entrepreneurship: An Empirical Analysis of SMEs in KSA

Abstract

This study examines the role of business ethics in the entrepreneurial endeavors of small and medium-sized enterprises in the Jazan region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.. The research adopted a mixed-methods approach, where the primary data was collected through surveys from the targeted population (the KSA-based SMEs) and secondary data from previous literature. The survey explored the ethical practices followed by these enterprises, utilizing descriptive and inferential statistical analysis techniques such as average, weighted average, percentage, ranking methods, and regression analysis facilitated by SPSS software. The findings indicate that organizational culture and ethical leadership are the most dominant factors and SMEs largely adhere to ethical business practices in KSA. This research contributes deeper insight into the factors enhancing ethical conduct among SMEs.