Viktoriia Tkachenko

This study examines the relationship between corporate social responsibility and the effectiveness of internal control, while simultaneously examining board gender diversity to check whether female directors contribute to corporate transparency or not. The sample of the study comprises 15,231 firm-year observations of companies listed on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges from 2013 to 2018. The raw data for variable calculation come from authoritative and reputable sources, such as China Stock Market and Accounting Research (CSMAR), DIB Internal Control database, and RKS CSR score. The empirical study shows that socially high-performing firms possess a more effective internal control mechanism. However, the paper failed to find a positive association of gender diversity on the board with internal control effectiveness, and failed to attest reinforcing effect of female directors on internal control in socially responsible firms. This study suggests that in China’s institutional environment, female directors are unlikely to contribute to increased corporate transparency. This study is useful for both regulators and company management to establish a master plan and tactics for board composition to improve corporate transparency, taking into account the effect of the investigated phenomena within the jurisdiction under study.

Acknowledgment
This paper is co-funded by the European Union through the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) within the project “EMBRACING EU CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES OF BUSINESS-SOCIETY BONDS TRANSFORMATION IN UKRAINE” 101094100 — EECORE — ERASMUS-JMO-2022-HEI-TCH-RSCH-UA-IBA / ERASMUS-JMO-2022-HEI-TCHRSCH https://eecore.snau.edu.ua/

This comprehensive study delves into the intricate relationship between corporate governance and Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosure (CSRD) within the framework of China’s institutional landscape. By analyzing an extensive dataset comprising 35,435 firm-year observations from 3,889 A-share listed companies spanning the years 2006 to 2019, the research scrutinizes various governance mechanisms, including board size, independence, CEO duality, and ownership concentration.
The investigation affirms that larger boards and a higher proportion of independent directors exert a positive influence on CSRD. In contrast, a substantial shareholding ratio held by the largest shareholder proves to be a hindrance to the transparent disclosure of CSR initiatives. While the impact of CEO duality on CSRD is noted, the statistical significance of this relationship remains inconclusive.
These findings underscore the nuanced dynamics of governance and ownership structures in shaping CSR initiatives. The findings highlight the nuanced impact of governance and ownership structures on CSR initiatives, offering valuable insights for managers and policymakers navigating CSR strategies in China’s business landscape. The insights garnered from this study hold valuable implications for both corporate managers and policymakers navigating the landscape of CSR strategies within the unique contours of China’s business environment.

Acknowledgment
This paper is co-funded by the European Union through the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) within the project “Embracing EU corporate social responsibility: challenges and opportunities of business-society bonds transformation in Ukraine” – 101094100 – EECORE – ERASMUS-JMO-2022-HEI-TCH-RSCH-UA-IBA / ERASMUS-JMO-2022-HEI-TCHRSCH https://eecore.snau.edu.ua/
Oleh PASKO expresses sincere gratitude for the support received from the Kirkland Research Program, generously provided by the Leaders of Change Foundation established by the Polish-American Freedom Foundation.