IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/vrs/hjobpa/v14y2023i2p82-96n7.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Corporate Sustainability Through the Presence of Women in Boards: Empirical Evidence from Developing Economy

Author

Listed:
  • Fernando Dilrukshi

    (Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, Kuliyapitiya, Sri Lanka)

  • Dissanayake Hiranya

    (Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, Kuliyapitiya, Sri Lanka)

  • Deshika Thilini

    (Wayamba University of Sri Lanka, Kuliyapitiya, Sri Lanka)

  • Iddagoda Anuradha

    (University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka)

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to address the emerging concept of women on boards as a solution to breaking gender barriers in boardrooms and its influence on sustainability reporting in Sri Lankan companies. The study aims to explore the relationship between the representation of women on boards and sustainability reporting, while also investigating the potential role of gender diversity in promoting sustainability in social, economic, and environmental spheres. The research adopts a comparative approach to examine the degree of women on boards and the level of sustainability reporting in Sri Lanka. The study utilizes the resource dependency theory, contingency theory, and agency theory as theoretical frameworks to analyze the association between women directors on boards and sustainability performance. Archival data from the highest market capitalization companies during the period of 2016 to 2019 is collected from audited annual financial statements. The study reveals a significant positive relationship between the presence of women on boards and sustainability reporting in Sri Lanka. It addresses the empirical and contextual gaps in this area, providing valuable insights into the positive impact of gender diversity on corporate sustainability practices in the Sri Lankan context. The research emphasizes the pragmatic solution of including women’s voices in the boardroom to foster gender diversity and create an interest in sustainability, which is an emerging trend in the country. Overall, this study adds valuable knowledge to the fields of corporate governance, gender diversity, and sustainability reporting.

Suggested Citation

  • Fernando Dilrukshi & Dissanayake Hiranya & Deshika Thilini & Iddagoda Anuradha, 2023. "Corporate Sustainability Through the Presence of Women in Boards: Empirical Evidence from Developing Economy," HOLISTICA – Journal of Business and Public Administration, Sciendo, vol. 14(2), pages 82-96, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:vrs:hjobpa:v:14:y:2023:i:2:p:82-96:n:7
    DOI: 10.2478/hjbpa-2023-0017
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://doi.org/10.2478/hjbpa-2023-0017
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.2478/hjbpa-2023-0017?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Gary K Meek & Clare B Roberts & Sidney J Gray, 1995. "Factors Influencing Voluntary Annual Report Disclosures By U.S., U.K. and Continental European Multinational Corporations," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 26(3), pages 555-572, September.
    2. Susanne Arvidsson, 2010. "Communication of Corporate Social Responsibility: A Study of the Views of Management Teams in Large Companies," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 96(3), pages 339-354, October.
    3. Carmelo Reverte, 2009. "Determinants of Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosure Ratings by Spanish Listed Firms," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 88(2), pages 351-366, August.
    4. Stephen Bear & Noushi Rahman & Corinne Post, 2010. "The Impact of Board Diversity and Gender Composition on Corporate Social Responsibility and Firm Reputation," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 97(2), pages 207-221, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Mohammad Jizi, 2017. "The Influence of Board Composition on Sustainable Development Disclosure," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 26(5), pages 640-655, July.
    2. María Consuelo Pucheta‐Martínez & Inmaculada Bel‐Oms & Isabel Gallego‐Álvarez, 2023. "Corporate social responsibility reporting and capital structure: Does board gender diversity mind in such association?," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 30(4), pages 1588-1600, July.
    3. Laura Girella & Paola Rossi & Stefano Zambon, 2019. "Exploring the firm and country determinants of the voluntary adoption of integrated reporting," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(7), pages 1323-1340, November.
    4. María Consuelo Pucheta‐Martínez & Isabel Gallego‐Álvarez, 2019. "An international approach of the relationship between board attributes and the disclosure of corporate social responsibility issues," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 26(3), pages 612-627, May.
    5. Mohammad Jizi & Aly Salama & Robert Dixon & Rebecca Stratling, 2014. "Corporate Governance and Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosure: Evidence from the US Banking Sector," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 125(4), pages 601-615, December.
    6. Nurlan Orazalin & Mady Baydauletov, 2020. "Corporate social responsibility strategy and corporate environmental and social performance: The moderating role of board gender diversity," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 27(4), pages 1664-1676, July.
    7. Kalpana Tokas & Kartik Yadav, 2023. "Foreign Ownership and Corporate Social Responsibility: The Case of an Emerging Market," Global Business Review, International Management Institute, vol. 24(6), pages 1302-1325, December.
    8. Rashidah Abdul Rahman & Maha Faisal Alsayegh, 2021. "Determinants of Corporate Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) Reporting among Asian Firms," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-13, April.
    9. Mitzi Cubilla‐Montilla & Ana‐Belén Nieto‐Librero & Ma Purificación Galindo‐Villardón & Ma Purificación Vicente Galindo & Isabel‐María Garcia‐Sanchez, 2019. "Are cultural values sufficient to improve stakeholder engagement human and labour rights issues?," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 26(4), pages 938-955, July.
    10. He, Feng & Guo, Xinyao & Yue, Pengpeng, 2024. "Media coverage and corporate ESG performance: Evidence from China," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    11. Amel Ben Rhouma & Walid Ben Amar & Eustache Ebondo Wa Mandzila, 2014. "Quel Impact Des Mécanismes De Gouvernance Sur La Divulgation Des Risques Liés Au Changement Climatique ? Le Cas Des Entreprises Françaises Cotées," Post-Print hal-01899578, HAL.
    12. Bigelli, Marco & Mengoli, Stefano & Sandri, Sandro, 2023. "ESG score, board structure and the impact of the non-financial reporting directive on European firms," Journal of Economics and Business, Elsevier, vol. 127(C).
    13. Despina Galani & Efthymios Gravas & Antonios Stavropoulos, 2012. "Company Characteristics and Environmental Policy," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 21(4), pages 236-247, May.
    14. Jeanne, Amar & Demaria, Samira & Rigot, Sandra, 2023. "What are the drivers of corporates' climate transparency? Evidence from the S&P 1200 index," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 213(C).
    15. Nekhili, Mehdi & Nagati, Haithem & Chtioui, Tawhid & Nekhili, Ali, 2017. "Gender-diverse board and the relevance of voluntary CSR reporting," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 81-100.
    16. Mar Arenas-Parra & Susana Álvarez-Otero, 2020. "CSR Disclosure: The IPO Case," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-22, May.
    17. McGuinness, Paul B. & Vieito, João Paulo & Wang, Mingzhu, 2017. "The role of board gender and foreign ownership in the CSR performance of Chinese listed firms," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 75-99.
    18. Cuadrado Ballesteros, Beatriz & García Rubio, Raquel & Martínez Ferrero, Jennifer, 2015. "Efecto de la composición del consejo de administración en las prácticas de responsabilidad social corporativa," Revista de Contabilidad - Spanish Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 18(1), pages 20-31.
    19. Francesco Campanella & Luana Serino & Anna Crisci & Antonello D'Ambra, 2021. "The role of corporate governance in environmental policy disclosure and sustainable development. Generalized estimating equations in longitudinal count data analysis," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 28(1), pages 474-484, January.
    20. Roberto Fernández-Gago & Laura Cabeza-García & Mariano Nieto, 2016. "Corporate social responsibility, board of directors, and firm performance: an analysis of their relationships," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 10(1), pages 85-104, January.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:vrs:hjobpa:v:14:y:2023:i:2:p:82-96:n:7. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Peter Golla (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.sciendo.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.