CODE OF ETHICS AND THE INTERNATIONALIZATION OF NIGERIAN FINTECH FIRMS

Abstract

The introduction and implementation of codes of ethics in a firm is mostly considered as an expression of corporate governance. It is also a manifestation of a corporate culture of compliance which typically permeates the organization, especially for firms with the strategic objective of internationalization. As domestic market increasingly reach maturity, compelling firms to push for expansion into international markets, there has been a remarkable interest and focus in the internationalization activities of business across Africa. This has resulted in the emergence of challenger firms competing with both local and foreign firms in the new markets. However, there is still limited understanding of this phenomenon, because there is scarce empirical research on the relationship between sound code of ethics and the success of internationalization drive by African firms. This paper therefore seeks to examine trends in the adoption and contexts of codes of ethics regulating the behavior of fintech firms and the effect on their effort at internationalizing the business. This is with a view to shed light on the effectiveness of ethical standards thereby contributing to the scholarly understanding of one of the important requirements for internationalization of Nigerian Fintech firms