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Board characteristics and sustainability performance: empirical evidence from emerging markets

Author

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  • Mustafa Disli
  • Mustafa Kemal Yilmaz
  • Farah Finn Mohamud Mohamed

Abstract

Purpose - This study aims to investigate the effects of board attributes, i.e. board independence, gender diversity, board size and board activity, on the sustainability performance of 439 publicly-listed non-financial companies across 20 emerging countries over the period of 2010–2019. Design/methodology/approach - We use Refinitiv environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance scores and board attributes variables derived from Thomson Reuters Eikon database. We examined the relationship between board features and sustainability performance by using the dynamic panel two-step system generalized method of moments estimator. Findings - Overall, our findings suggest that smaller, gender diverse and independent boards that convene frequently achieve better sustainability performance. The authors document a positive relationship between board gender diversity and sustainability performance across a broad spectrum of sustainability indicators. The authors also find evidence that board independence has a positive impact on two sustainability performance measures, i.e. environmental and governance performance. Although board size does not influence aggregate sustainability measures (ESG score, ESG controversies, and ESG combined score), the authors find a negative relation between board size and governance performance. Finally, board activity seems only relevant in explaining ESG controversies, i.e. other things being equal frequently held board meetings significantly reduce sustainability issues (ESG controversies). Practical implications - The authors’ findings provide implications to support regulators and emerging market companies on how to improve sustainability performance through the design and use of specific governance mechanisms. These interventions will help resolve agency problems among different stakeholders and, in turn, benefit sustainability. Social implications - This study also has social implications because it sheds light on how companies may change their attitudes towards sustainable practices through adjusting their corporate governance structures to increase the welfare of the society. Originality/value - This study examines the behaviour of companies in emerging markets on sustainability performance by discussing a broad range of board characteristics and covering a large sample of emerging markets. Thus, it provides valuable insights to the companies for further growth opportunities in emerging markets.

Suggested Citation

  • Mustafa Disli & Mustafa Kemal Yilmaz & Farah Finn Mohamud Mohamed, 2022. "Board characteristics and sustainability performance: empirical evidence from emerging markets," Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 13(4), pages 929-952, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:eme:sampjp:sampj-09-2020-0313
    DOI: 10.1108/SAMPJ-09-2020-0313
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Fernando, Guy D. & Schneible, Richard A. & Zhang, Wei, 2024. "Institutional ownership and women in the top management team," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 170(C).
    2. Mustafa K. Yilmaz & Umit Hacioglu & Ekrem Tatoglu & Mine Aksoy & Selman Duran, 2023. "Measuring the impact of board gender and cultural diversity on corporate governance and social performance: evidence from emerging markets," Economic Research-Ekonomska Istraživanja, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 36(2), pages 2106503-210, December.
    3. Abdelsalam, Omneya & Azmi, Wajahat & Disli, Mustafa & Kowsalya, V., 2023. "Bank lending cyclicality and ESG activities: Global evidence," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 58(PD).
    4. Jun Wan & Yuejia Wang & Yuan Wang, 2025. "Promoting or Hindering: The Impact of ESG Rating Differences on Energy Enterprises’ Green Transformation—A Causal Test from Double Machine-Learning Algorithms," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-21, January.
    5. Shakil, Mohammad Hassan, 2024. "Environmental, social and governance controversies: A bibliometric review and research agenda," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 70(C).
    6. He, Yu & Zhao, Xiaoling & Zheng, Huan, 2023. "How does the environmental protection tax law affect firm ESG? Evidence from the Chinese stock markets," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 127(PA).
    7. Florentina Madalina Perevoznic & Voicu D. Dragomir, 2024. "Achieving the 2030 Agenda: Mapping the Landscape of Corporate Sustainability Goals and Policies in the European Union," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-54, April.
    8. Ahmad Yuosef Alodat & Yunhong Hao, 2025. "Environmental, social and governance (ESG) disclosure and firm performance: Moderating role of board gender diversity and sustainability committee," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(1), pages 636-651, February.
    9. Agnese, Paolo & Arduino, Francesca Romana & Bruno, Emma & Vento, Gianfranco Antonio, 2024. "On the road to sustainability: The role of board characteristics in driving ESG performance in Africa," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 95(C).
    10. Nourhen Sallemi, 2025. "Internal governance and the sustainability development practice in Islamic financial institutions," International Journal of Disclosure and Governance, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 22(1), pages 155-164, March.
    11. Osorio Iris Maria Velez, 2024. "Exploring the Link between Sustainable Practices and Corporate Performance Across Industries," Business Systems Research, Sciendo, vol. 15(1), pages 158-177.
    12. Nurshahirah Abd Majid & Amar Hisham Jaaffar, 2023. "The Effect of Women’s Leadership on Carbon Disclosure by the Top 100 Global Energy Leaders," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-26, May.
    13. Francesca Collevecchio & Gianluca Gionfriddo, 2023. "Adopting a social purpose in for-profit firms: the role of the board of directors," International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, Springer, vol. 19(3), pages 1467-1499, September.
    14. Huang, Jun & Li, Yun & Han, Feifei, 2024. "Walk well and talk well: Impact of the consistency of ESG performance and disclosure on firms’ stock price crash risk," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 93(PA), pages 1154-1174.
    15. Nguyen Vinh Khuong & Vu Tran Trong Tai & Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao & Pham Minh Tuan & Tran Tuan Dung & Vo Tuong Khanh, 2024. "Corporate governance and corporate carbon disclosures: The moderating role of earnings management," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 31(5), pages 4596-4611, September.
    16. Hua Feng & Zhihong Zhang & Qinglu Wang & Lingyun Yang, 2024. "Does a Company’s Position within the Interlocking Director Network Influence Its ESG Performance?—Empirical Evidence from Chinese Listed Companies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-29, May.
    17. Juan Dempere & Shahira Abdalla, 2023. "The Impact of Women’s Empowerment on the Corporate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Disclosure," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-18, May.
    18. Mehmood, Asad & De Luca, Francesco & Quach, Hao, 2023. "Investigating how board gender diversity affects environmental, social and governance performance: Evidence from the utilities sector," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).
    19. Joanna Krasodomska & Ewelina Zarzycka & Paweł Zieniuk, 2024. "Voluntary sustainability reporting assurance in the European Union before the advent of the corporate sustainability reporting directive: The country and firm‐level impact of Sustainable Development G," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(3), pages 1652-1664, June.
    20. Barbara Rocha Gonzaga & Marcelo Cabus Klotzle & Talles Vianna Brugni & Ileana-Sorina Rakos & Ionela Cornelia Cioca & Cristian-Marian Barbu & Teodora Cucerzan, 2024. "The ESG Patterns of Emerging-Market Companies: Are There Differences in Their Sustainable Behavior after COVID-19?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-41, January.
    21. Peter Kwarteng & Kingsley Opoku Appiah & Bismark Addai, 2023. "Influence of board mechanisms on sustainability performance for listed firms in Sub-Saharan Africa," Future Business Journal, Springer, vol. 9(1), pages 1-24, December.

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