Corporate governance and sustainability reporting quality: evidence from Nigeria

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to examine the association between corporate governance and sustainability reporting quality of listed firms in Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors measure corporate governance using board governance variables (board size, board independence, board gender diversity and board expertise) and audit committee attributes (audit committee size, audit expertise and audit meeting). The authors measured sustainability reporting quality using a scoring system, which ranges between 0 and 4. The highest score is achieved when sustainability reporting is independently assured by an audit firm. The lowest score refers to the absence of sustainability reporting. The study emphasizes 120 listed firms on Nigeria Stock Exchange using the ordered logistic regression technique.

Findings

The results indicate that board governance variables (board size, board gender diversity and board expertise) and audit committee attributes (audit committee size, audit expertise and audit meeting) are significantly associated with sustainability reporting quality. Additional analysis reveals that external assurance contributes to the quality of sustainability reporting through corporate governance characteristics.

Research limitations/implications

This study is restricted to a single country. Future studies should consider a cross-country study, which may help to establish a comparative analysis. Likewise, the future study could consider other regression techniques using a continuous measurement of the global reporting initiative in measuring sustainability reporting quality.

Practical implications

This study’s findings have important implications for policymakers and practitioners, especially the corporate executives and top management. Companies are encouraged to restructure their board to enhance better monitoring and support towards better sustainability reporting.

Social implications

Disclosure on sustainability reporting helps corporate organizations advance the issues of sustainability both nationally and globally.

Originality/value

This current study adds to accounting literature by examining how corporate governance contributes to sustainability reporting practices within the Nigerian context. Drawing from the result, the study provides strong interconnectivity between the corporate board and audit committee in driving sustainability reporting quality within an organizational context.

Citation

Erin, O., Adegboye, A. and Bamigboye, O.A. (2022), "Corporate governance and sustainability reporting quality: evidence from Nigeria", Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal, Vol. 13 No. 3, pp. 680-707. https://doi.org/10.1108/SAMPJ-06-2020-0185