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The Relationship between Firm Characteristics and the Disclosure of Sustainability Reporting

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  • Mao-Chang Wang

    (Department of Accounting, Chinese Culture University, 55, Hwa-Kang Road, Taipei 11114, Taiwan)

Abstract

Stakeholder theory is a major approach to research on sustainability management. Firm characteristics, including corporate governance and business characteristics, can be represented in terms of their effects on stakeholders. In this study, a multi-regression model is used to examine the relationship between firm characteristics and the disclosure of sustainability reporting for the Taiwan 50 Index-listed companies. Least-squares regression, panel data regression, and logistic regression analyses are applied. The results show that seven corporate governance and business characteristics, namely the size of the board of directors, ratio of independent directors, audit committee, ratio of export income, percentage of foreign shareholders’ holdings, fixed asset staleness, and firm growth are positively related to the disclosure of sustainability reporting, whereas the percentage of director holdings and stock price per share are negatively related to the disclosure of sustainability reporting. This study supports the notion that stakeholder involvement is related to the disclosure of sustainability reporting.

Suggested Citation

  • Mao-Chang Wang, 2017. "The Relationship between Firm Characteristics and the Disclosure of Sustainability Reporting," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(4), pages 1-14, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:9:y:2017:i:4:p:624-:d:96029
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    3. Rohaida Abdul Latif & Kamarun Nisham Taufil Mohd & Hasnah Kamardin & Arifatul Husna Mohd Ariff, 2023. "Determinants of Sustainability Disclosure Quality among Plantation Companies in Malaysia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-23, February.
    4. Sujatha Ravinarayana Bhat & Mohd Asrul Affendi Abdullah, 2023. "Factors Influencing Sustainability Reporting Practices among Listed Companies in Oman," International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues, Econjournals, vol. 13(3), pages 74-83, May.
    5. Aida Maria Ismail & Izrul Haida Mohd Latiff, 2019. "Board Diversity and Corporate Sustainability Practices: Evidence on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Reporting," International Journal of Financial Research, International Journal of Financial Research, Sciedu Press, vol. 10(3), pages 31-50, May.
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    7. Meibo Hu & Lawrence Loh, 2018. "Board Governance and Sustainability Disclosure: A Cross-Sectional Study of Singapore-Listed Companies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-14, July.
    8. Ali Meftah Gerged, 2021. "Factors affecting corporate environmental disclosure in emerging markets: The role of corporate governance structures," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(1), pages 609-629, January.
    9. Rasa Kanapickiene & Greta Keliuotyte-Staniuleniene & Deimante Teresiene, 2021. "Disclosure of Non-Current Tangible Assets Information in Private Sector Entities Financial Statements: The Case of Lithuania," Economies, MDPI, vol. 9(2), pages 1-64, May.
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    11. Grigoris Giannarakis & Andreas Andronikidis & Nikolaos Sariannidis, 2020. "Determinants of environmental disclosure: investigating new and conventional corporate governance characteristics," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 294(1), pages 87-105, November.
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