Strengthening corporate governance: The role of ethics and integrity in Malaysian SMEs during economic uncertainty

Corporate governance ensures transparency, accountability, and ethical management, critical for Malaysian SMEs during economic uncertainty. Effective governance, including ESG principles, helps SMEs navigate challenges like financial instability and regulatory changes, fostering resilience and long-term success. Ethical standards and integrity are foundational, enhancing trust and aligning operations with strategic goals. Effective governance structures, such as boards of directors, ensure strategic oversight. Research shows that good governance positively impacts SME performance and resilience, with case studies highlighting practical applications and success during economic uncertainty. This research employs a case study methodology to examine governance, ethics, and ESG practices in three Malaysian companies. The method focuses on in-depth analysis through secondary data review, thematic analysis, and comparative analysis, providing detailed, context-specific insights into the application and challenges of these principles across diverse sectors. This study explores governance, ethics, and ESG practices in three Malaysian companies—Julie’s Manufacturing Sdn Bhd, CK Packaging & Plastic Industries Sdn Bhd, and Homegrown Farms. The case studies emphasize robust governance frameworks, strategic ESG integration, and adaptive responses to market challenges, offering valuable insights for SMEs on effective governance and sustainability practices. The discussion highlights how Julie’s Manufacturing, CK Packaging, and Homegrown Farms navigate governance and ESG practices during economic uncertainty. Robust governance frameworks, tailored ESG strategies, and strong ethical foundations are essential for resilience and long-term success. SMEs should integrate these principles to manage risks, sustain growth, and enhance stakeholder trust.