Audit Committees and Women Leadership: Driving Corporate Social Responsibility in Malaysian Companies

This study examines the correlation between the characteristics of women directors and audit committees and the disclosure of corporate social responsibility (CSR) by companies listed on Bursa Malaysia. This study provides empirical evidence on the significant influence of women directors and the size and independence of audit committees on CSR disclosure in a sample of 100 publicly listed companies in Malaysia, utilising the agency and legitimacy theory. The organisation can improve the effectiveness of its CSR disclosure by promoting gender diversity in the boardroom and establishing an effective audit committee. In addition, each organisation must establish an audit committee to evaluate the CSR disclosure, assuring that the report is of the highest quality, precise, and reliable. This research suggests that the extent of CSR disclosure is significantly and favourably impacted by the presence of women directors and a larger audit committee size. Nevertheless, the audit committee’s independence does not have a substantial impact. The insights derived from this study are highly beneficial for researchers in related fields and professionals in the industry. Shareholders can examine the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure to arrive at a definitive conclusion.