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Sustainable development disclosure: Environmental, social, and governance reporting and gender diversity in the audit committee

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  • Francisco Bravo
  • Nuria Reguera‐Alvarado

Abstract

This paper analyzes the link between female representation on audit committees (ACs) and specific information attributes of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) disclosures. We also examine whether the role of women is moderated by the busyness and intensity of the committee. Our results reveal a positive association between gender diversity in the AC and the quality of voluntary ESG reporting, which results in greater comprehensiveness and relevance. These findings extend the academic debate concerning the role of female directors on sustainability policies. Moreover, given the importance of ESG information in capital markets and its potential benefits for firms, this evidence may help regulators and owners to implement adequate corporate governance mechanisms. In addition, the busyness of the AC negatively moderates the influence of female AC members. Therefore, we highlight the need to consider the context in which women work in order to understand their influence on sustainability reporting.

Suggested Citation

  • Francisco Bravo & Nuria Reguera‐Alvarado, 2019. "Sustainable development disclosure: Environmental, social, and governance reporting and gender diversity in the audit committee," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(2), pages 418-429, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:bstrat:v:28:y:2019:i:2:p:418-429
    DOI: 10.1002/bse.2258
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    Cited by:

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    7. Shukang Zhou & Md. Harun Ur Rashid & Shah Asadullah Mohd. Zobair & Farid Ahammad Sobhani & Abu Bakkar Siddik, 2023. "Does ESG Impact Firms’ Sustainability Performance? The Mediating Effect of Innovation Performance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-21, March.
    8. James J. Cordeiro & Giorgia Profumo & Ilaria Tutore, 2020. "Board gender diversity and corporate environmental performance: The moderating role of family and dual‐class majority ownership structures," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(3), pages 1127-1144, March.
    9. Perello-Marin, M Rosario & Rodríguez-Rodríguez, Raúl & Alfaro-Saiz, Juan-Jose, 2022. "Analysing GRI reports for the disclosure of SDG contribution in European car manufacturers," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 181(C).
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    12. Junhui Wang & Jerry Sun, 2022. "The role of audit committees in social responsibility and environmental disclosures: evidence from Chinese energy sector," International Journal of Disclosure and Governance, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 19(1), pages 113-128, March.
    13. María Consuelo Pucheta‐Martínez & Isabel Gallego‐Álvarez & Inmaculada Bel‐Oms, 2021. "Corporate social and environmental disclosure as a sustainable development tool provided by board sub‐committees: Do women directors play a relevant moderating role?," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(8), pages 3485-3501, December.
    14. Riccardo Santamaria & Francesco Paolone & Nicola Cucari & Luca Dezi, 2021. "Non‐financial strategy disclosure and environmental, social and governance score: Insight from a configurational approach," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(4), pages 1993-2007, May.
    15. Shaista Wasiuzzaman & Vasanthan Subramaniam, 2023. "Board gender diversity and environmental, social and governance (ESG) disclosure: Is it different for developed and developing nations?," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 30(5), pages 2145-2165, September.
    16. Thi‐Hong‐Van Hoang & Wojciech Przychodzen & Justyna Przychodzen & Elysé A. Segbotangni, 2020. "Does it pay to be green? A disaggregated analysis of U.S. firms with green patents," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(3), pages 1331-1361, March.
    17. Alan Kai Ming Au & Yi-Fan Yang & Huan Wang & Rui-Hong Chen & Leven J. Zheng, 2023. "Mapping the Landscape of ESG Strategies: A Bibliometric Review and Recommendations for Future Research," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(24), pages 1-26, December.
    18. Francesco Paolone & Matteo Pozzoli & Nicola Cucari & Rosario Bianco, 2023. "Longer board tenure and audit committee tenure. How do they impact environmental performance? A European study," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 30(1), pages 358-368, January.
    19. 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.
    20. Anrafel Souza Barbosa & Maria Cristina Basilio Crispim Silva & Luiz Bueno Silva & Sandra Naomi Morioka & Vinícius Fernandes Souza, 2023. "Integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria: their impacts on corporate sustainability performance," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-18, December.
    21. Mudeer Ahmed Khattak & Buerhan Saiti, 2021. "Banks' environmental policy and business outcomes: The role of competition," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(1), pages 302-317, January.
    22. Marziana Madah Marzuki, 2022. "Audit Committee Diversity, Analysts’ Forecast Accuracy and Earnings Management: Evidence from Malaysia," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-27, April.

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