Board demographic characteristics, ownership structure, and multiple capitals disclosure: Evidence from heavily polluting firms

Abstract

Integrated Reporting (IR) is a sustainability-oriented reporting format, underpinned by six forms of capital. This study explores the association between Multiple Capitals Disclosure (MCD) and board demographic characteristics and ownership structure in heavily polluting Chinese firms from 2012 to 2016. We adopt upper echelons theory and agency theory as the theoretical foundation for this paper. Our results suggest that board gender diversity and institutional ownership are positively associated with MCD quality. However, board financial expertise appears to negatively affect MCD quality. These findings remain consistent across a series of sensitivity tests. The insights gleaned from this study will prove beneficial to scholars, the senior management, regulators, and policy-makers.

Keywords

• Integrated reporting
• Board demographic characteristics
• Ownership structure
• Multiple capitals
• Upper echelons theory
• Agency theory