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The veil of secrecy: Family firms’ approach to ESG transparency and the role of institutional investors

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  • Arduino, Francesca Romana
  • Buchetti, Bruno
  • Harasheh, Murad

Abstract

Our analysis explores the relationship between family ownership and ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) transparency in Italian companies from 2016–2020, employing agency theory, stakeholder theory, and Socio Emotional Wealth (SEW). We find that family-owned firms typically exhibit lower ESG transparency, especially in social aspects, due to priorities like privacy and legacy. Institutional investors (IIs), however, play a crucial role in enhancing transparency, mitigating the usual opacity in these firms. This highlights the importance of IIs in advancing ESG disclosures, providing strategic insights for addressing the transparency challenges associated with family ownership and improving governance practices to narrow the corporate transparency gap.

Suggested Citation

  • Arduino, Francesca Romana & Buchetti, Bruno & Harasheh, Murad, 2024. "The veil of secrecy: Family firms’ approach to ESG transparency and the role of institutional investors," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 62(PB).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finlet:v:62:y:2024:i:pb:s1544612324002733
    DOI: 10.1016/j.frl.2024.105243
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    Keywords

    Corporate governance; ESG disclosure; Family firms; Institutional investors;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G34 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Mergers; Acquisitions; Restructuring; Corporate Governance
    • L21 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Business Objectives of the Firm
    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth

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