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Journal of Business Ethics

Erschienen in:

10.07.2015

Board Gender Diversity and Corporate Response to Sustainability Initiatives: Evidence from the Carbon Disclosure Project

verfasst von: Walid Ben-Amar, Millicent Chang, Philip McIlkenny

Erschienen in: Journal of Business Ethics | Ausgabe 2/2017

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Abstract

This paper investigates the effect of female representation on the board of directors on corporate response to stakeholders’ demands for increased public reporting about climate change-related risks. We rely on the Carbon Disclosure Project as a sustainability initiative supported by institutional investors. Greenhouse gas emissions measurement and its disclosure to investors can be thought of as a first step toward addressing climate change issues and reducing the firm’s carbon footprint. Based on a sample of publicly listed Canadian firms over the period 2008–2014, we find that the likelihood of voluntary climate change disclosure increases with women percentage on boards. We also find evidence that supports critical mass theory with regard to board gender diversity. These findings reinforce initiatives being undertaken around the world to promote gender diversity in corporate governance while demonstrating board effectiveness in stakeholder management.

Vorheriger Artikel Exploring the Impact of Internal Corporate Governance on the Relation Between Disclosure Quality and Earnings Management in the UK Listed Companies

Nächster Artikel Religious Belief, Corporate Philanthropy, and Political Involvement of Entrepreneurs in Chinese Family Firms

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In June 2012, The United Kingdom (UK) government announced that, starting from April 2013, all companies listed on the main market of the London Stock Exchange will be required to disclose their GHG emission levels in the annual reports. In February 2010, The United States (US) Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued an interpretive guidance on climate change-related risks to help US firms comply with their disclosure obligations.

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Titel: Board Gender Diversity and Corporate Response to Sustainability Initiatives: Evidence from the Carbon Disclosure Project
verfasst von: Walid Ben-Amar
Millicent Chang
Philip McIlkenny
Publikationsdatum: 10.07.2015
Verlag: Springer Netherlands
Erschienen in: Journal of Business Ethics / Ausgabe 2/2017
Print ISSN: 0167-4544
Elektronische ISSN: 1573-0697
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-015-2759-1

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