Purpose The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of good corporate governance on sustainability reporting (SR) by considering the moderating role of board gender. Furthermore, this study also investigates the research model in companies that are old and young. Design/methodology/approach This study uses 1,150 firm-year data from non-financial companies listed on IDX (2014–2020), tested using panel regression, with robustness tests and sample separation between older and younger firms to validate the research model. Findings The results indicate that good corporate governance improves SR. In addition, the presence of women on the company board strengthens the effect of good corporate governance on SR. This study also reveals that younger companies tend to be more capable of delivering sustainability reports. Practical implications This study highlights Indonesia’s unique corporate governance traits – diverse ownership, low ESG awareness and weak regulations – while showing how board gender diversity improves SR. It offers insights for firms to strengthen reporting via GCG and gender inclusion, and for policymakers to improve ESG regulations. Originality/value This study fills a research gap in Indonesia’s context by using the ASEAN Corporate Governance Scorecard (ACG-SC), a region-specific metric that reflects Asian governance traits like family ownership and stakeholder focus. It also adds originality by exploring female directors’ roles in sustainability within Indonesian firms.

Purpose This study examines the effect of monitoring mechanisms, specifically board attributes, audit committee characteristics and ownership types, on environmental disclosure environmental disclosure levels (ENDL) among listed firms in Nigeria, a context where such integrated analysis is lacking. Design/methodology/approach Using panel data from 95 firms (2012–2022), we apply the Global Reporting Index to assess ENDL. The analysis utilizes panel data regression techniques, including both fixed-effects and random-effects specifications, along with the Generalized Method of Moments to control for endogeneity in the estimation. Findings Firms with independent board, board environmental committees, environmental expertise, independent audit committees, audit committee financial expertise, audit committee gender, government and foreign ownership exhibit higher ENDL. However, chief executive officer’s gender and the audit committee meeting frequency negatively impact ENDL. Research limitations/implications The generalizability of this study's conclusions is potentially constrained by its country-specific context, as the data are drawn solely from the Nigerian market. To enhance the external validity of the findings, subsequent studies should replicate this analysis in other national settings. This study also paves the way for future inquiry by suggesting that the theoretical model could be expanded through the inclusion of moderating or mediating variables, which would provide a more nuanced explanation of the mechanisms driving environmental disclosure. Practical implications Policymakers should strengthen governance mandates to enhance environmental transparency. For theory, it extends agency and stakeholder theory by demonstrating that general governance mechanisms are insufficient drivers of non-financial disclosure in emerging economies. Social implications This study has the potential to positively impact social outcomes by promoting environmental sustainability, corporate accountability and informed decision-making in Nigeria. Originality/value This study uniquely integrates board, audit and ownership monitoring mechanisms into a single framework, offering insights for Nigerian regulators and firms.

Purpose Digital transformation and sustainability performance have attracted extensive academic attention in developed economies; however, research within developing markets such as Indonesia remains scarce. This study investigates publicly listed companies in Indonesia to address this gap. Design/methodology/approach Grounded in the resource-based view (RBV) and dynamic capability (DC) theory, this study employs panel regression that includes industry and year-fixed effects to ensure a more accurate assessment of the relationship between digital transformation and sustainability performance. The sample covers 255 firm-year observations from companies listed on the Indonesian Stock Exchange between 2019 and 2023. Findings The findings reveal an insignificant relationship between digital transformation and sustainability performance in the pre- and post-COVID-19 periods in the context of underdeveloped digital infrastructure. However, during periods of economic uncertainty, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, accelerated digital transformation efforts were significantly associated with improved sustainability performance among Indonesian companies. These findings underscore the importance of robust digital infrastructure and highlight the role of economic factors in driving digital advancements and sustainability outcomes. Research limitations/implications The findings extend RBV and DC theory by demonstrating the critical role of strategic resources in gaining competitive advantages. In the context of digital transformation, these strategic resources encompass not only technological advancements but also strategic implementation and organizational capabilities. Originality/value This study offers a novel perspective on the relationship between digital transformation and sustainability performance in the context of a developing economy. By incorporating macroeconomic conditions, this study suggests that the stage of economic development can significantly influence this relationship.

Purpose This study investigated the environmental disclosure practices in Indonesia's manufacturing and mining sectors, examining the trends, quality and governance related drivers behind these disclosures. Design/methodology/approach Involving a sample of 286 firm-year observations from companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) between 2019 and 2022, the study utilizes panel regression and robustness testing to evaluate the determinants of disclosure. It also disaggregates results by sector to validate empirical consistency. Findings The research findings indicate that environmental disclosure practices in manufacturing and mining sectors were relatively good, with an average score of 54.94%. Companies favor disclosures related to environmental management, certifications and compliance over operational impacts like pollution. Board independence, audit committee size and affiliation with Big Four accounting firms positively influence disclosure levels. Foreign ownership shows no significant effect. Research limitations/implications This study provides critical insights into how environmentally sensitive industries, particularly manufacturing and mining, manage environmental transparency. The research highlights the need for stronger regulatory frameworks to standardize environmental reporting practices in Indonesia. Furthermore, it contributes to agency and stakeholder theories by demonstrating how governance structures affect environmental disclosure. Originality/value While many previous studies have focused on general perspectives regarding environmental disclosure practices, the present study offered a sector-specific analysis focusing on industries with high environmental impacts. The novelty of this research lies in its comprehensive assessment of environmental disclosure practices in Indonesia's manufacturing and mining sectors industries that have been largely underexplored in this context.

Purpose This study investigates the impact of a multidimensional board efficiency index (BEI) on firm financial performance (FP) and examines the moderating role of government ownership (GO) in China’s emerging market. It addresses gaps in prior literature by integrating six board attributes into a holistic governance metric and testing the government influence. Design/methodology/approach Using panel data from 1,226 Shanghai Stock Exchange-listed firms (2018–2022), the study employs a system Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) model to mitigate endogeneity. BEI is constructed by synthesizing board size, independence, CEO duality, meeting frequency, political connections and financial expertise. FP is measured via Economic Value-Added Rate and Tobin’s Q. GO is operationalized as a moderating variable, with controls for firm size, leverage, R&D, age and management turnover. Findings BEI significantly enhances FP, validating contingency theory’s governance–performance linkage. However, GO negatively moderates this relationship, attenuating BEI’s efficiency due to socio-political objectives and bureaucratic constraints. Enterprises with high GO exhibit weaker alignment between governance rigor and FP. Robustness checks using alternative performance metrics (ROA and ROE) and fixed-effects models confirm these results. Research limitations/implications The focus on Chinese listed firms limits generalizability to other emerging markets. Unobserved factors, such as regional policy variations or market competition, may further influence governance dynamics. Future studies should explore cross-country comparisons. Originality/value This research contributes by proposing BEI as a novel composite governance measurement, advancing beyond fragmented analyses of board attributes. Providing empirical evidence from China’s hybrid economy, offering policymakers actionable insights to balance state influence with market-driven governance.

Purpose Existing research suggests that CEO personality traits, including narcissism, can significantly affect a firm's performance and strategic decision-making. This study evaluates the direct outcome of CEO narcissism on ESG performance in Indonesia. Design/methodology/approach This research is using non-financial firms listed on the Indonesian Stock Exchange from 2017 to 2022, a total of 132 firm-year observations, and the data are processed by ordinary least squares (OLS) regression fixed effect. Findings Empirical results exhibit that narcissistic CEO significantly influences a firm's social performance positively, whilst indicating insignificance towards overall ESG performance, environmental and governance performance in Indonesia. Originality/value While many empirical works have assessed the relationship of CEO narcissism and ESG performance in other countries, very few studies have been conducted in Indonesia and none is using LinkedIn profiles to measure CEO narcissism levels.

Purpose The effects of corporate governance characteristics such as board independence, board gender diversity, board experience and sustainability committee on sustainability reporting are examined in the context of Malaysian agro-industry companies. Design/methodology/approach A fixed effects regression with Driscoll-Kraay standard error and generalized method of moments (GMM) analysis was employed in this study to analyze the sustainability reporting of 56 publicly listed agro-industry companies over eight years (2016–2023) using a newly developed sustainability reporting index (SRI). Findings The findings suggest that having a sustainability committee is vital in enhancing sustainability reporting, as demonstrated by its strong positive relationship with sustainability reporting disclosure. Additionally, board gender diversity and board experience show a significant positive relationship with sustainability reporting, whereas board independence shows a negative relationship. Practical implications The observations from this study provide important perspectives on the significance of sustainability committees in companies, diversity and experience with sustainability-related board of directors' appointments. Social implications The findings provide practical insights for corporate governance stakeholders and policymakers in striving to enhance clarity as well as responsibility in sustainability reporting. Originality/value The newly constructed SRI enhances the ability to evaluate sustainability practices, making a meaningful contribution to the literature by offering a robust, multidimensional measure.

Purpose This study examines whether diversification moderates the relationship between capital structure and bank profitability in Islamic and conventional banks in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Design/methodology/approach A sample of 82 MENA banks covering the period 2006–2021 is employed. The generalized method of moments technique is applied to test the hypothesis that diversification moderates the relationship between capital structure and the profitability of Islamic and conventional banks, with particular attention to the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings The results indicate that both diversification and capital structure enhance profitability within both banking systems during the pandemic. Furthermore, the findings reveal that diversification moderates the relationship between capital structure and bank profitability. The COVID-19 pandemic exerted a negative impact on the profitability of both Islamic and conventional banks. Practical implications This study provides important insights for policymakers, bank managers and regulators, highlighting the importance of designing strategies and regulatory frameworks that promote sound capital structures and income diversification to strengthen bank profitability, especially during crises like COVID-19. Originality/value This study contributes to the existing literature by emphasizing the moderating role of diversification, providing a comparative analysis of Islamic and conventional banking systems in the MENA region and capturing the effects of these dynamics during the COVID-19 crisis.

Purpose This study explores the moderating role of the COVID-19 crisis on the association between ESG scores and “Earnings Management (EM)” practices. Design/methodology/approach The developed hypotheses were tested using ordinary least squares (OLS) regression based on data from 50 Jordanian family businesses in the finance industry between 2010 and 2024. Furthermore, this investigation assessed the analytic results by employing a variety of robustness tests, such as the generalised method of moments (GMM) regression. Findings Multivariate regression shows that Jordanian family firms with stronger EM procedures have higher ESG sustainability scores during crisis period. For COVID-19’s moderating effects on each ESG component, “environmental and social” disclosure maximizes company capitalization and ESG disclosure as a whole boosts market value. However, governance factors unrelated to stakeholder interests play no significant role. Practical implications This study impacts enterprises, administrations and stakeholders. The moderating COVID-19 component increased the beneficial connection between EM practices and ESG scores. Thus, the findings encourage legislators and regulators to pass sustainable practice monitoring and company transparency and engagement laws. After COVID-19, businesses must rebuild the economy and accelerate and hold themselves accountable for adopting environmentally friendly decisions into their planning and governance control. The findings may help regulatory bodies and policymakers boost ESG reporting credibility by providing assurance from an impartial third party with strong duties. Developing ESG reporting dependability and comparability requires institutional support and professional pressure. Jordan may increase punishments for prohibited ESG building and combine federal direction with voluntary industry efforts to maximise economies of scale and reduce transformation costs. Originality/value This study examines whether EM procedures improve ESG sustainability scores and whether the COVID-19 pandemic caused this. This is novel when examined in a family business. Developmental Jordanian data makes this study important. Growing global economic trends and fundamental societal differences between wealthy and developing countries require more CSR/ESG research. ESG sustainability disclosure has been studied less than how the COVID-19 pandemic affected a company’s finances and non-financials. EM procedures directly affect ESG sustainability disclosure in Jordanian family firms, but COVID-19 moderates this link.

Purpose This study investigates how ownership structure affects environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance in Indonesian companies using stakeholder theory and resource-based view perspectives. Design/methodology/approach The study analyzes 41 Indonesian companies over 2018–2022, generating 205 firm-year observations. Data were collected from multiple databases with comprehensive robustness testing, including lag-1 analysis, propensity score matching with entropy balancing and generalized method of moments to address endogeneity concerns. Findings Foreign ownership, government ownership and institutional ownership demonstrate significant positive effects on ESG performance, while blockholder ownership exhibits significant negative effects. Results confirm that stakeholders with strong ESG expectations drive corporate behavior, with different ownership types providing unique strategic resources including international expertise and institutional legitimacy. Conversely, blockholder concentration creates stakeholder conflicts and constrains ESG resource development. Research limitations/implications The study is limited by its focus on ownership variables, short observation period and geographic concentration on Indonesia. Findings extend stakeholder theory and resource-based view by demonstrating how stakeholder groups influence corporate ESG behavior. Practical implications Companies should optimize ownership composition through collaboration with foreign or institutional investors. Policymakers can develop evidence-based regulations including tax incentives. Originality/value This study simultaneously analyzes four ownership types within Indonesia's unique institutional environment, providing novel insights into ownership–ESG dynamics.