Purpose

Following the introduction of the revised Malaysian Code on Corporate Governance in 2012 (MCCG 2012), this study aims to investigate the influence of corporate governance structure on the quality of sustainability reporting from the perspectives of agency theory and resource dependence theory.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on an analysis of 126 firms’ annual reports for the year ended 2010 and 2014, this study analyses sustainability reporting quality before the introduction of MCCG, 2012 (year ended 2010) and after (year ended 2014).

Findings

The findings of the study show that there was a significant increase in the quality of sustainability reporting from 2010 to 2014. Results from multiple regression analyses indicate that the number of sustainability-related training attended by the board of directors and the percentage of directors with sustainability-related experience have a significant impact on the quality of sustainability reporting.

Practical implications

Observations from the study provide useful insights into the importance of the appointment of directors with sustainability-related experience as part of the criteria for directors’ appointment. Moreover, the board of directors is encouraged to attend sustainability-related training to help firms improve sustainability practices and reporting.

Social implications

The increase in the quality of sustainability reporting indicates that companies are committed in ensuring that environmental degradation is put at the minimum level if not eliminated. It appears that companies are embracing the concept of sustainability reporting, and hence, contributing to improving and enhancing social well-being.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the discussion of both internal mechanisms (board independence and board capital) and external mechanisms (compliance to the code on corporate governance) of corporate governance structure on the quality of sustainability reporting. The findings can be used to identify necessary mechanisms that should be enhanced to strengthen the practice of sustainability reporting.

中文翻译：

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马来西亚公司治理结构对可持续发展报告的影响

目的

继2012年修订的马来西亚公司治理守则（MCCG 2012）出台后，本研究旨在从代理理论和资源依赖理论的角度研究公司治理结构对可持续发展报告质量的影响。

设计/方法/方法

本研究基于对 126 家公司截至 2010 年和 2014 年的年度报告的分析，分析了引入 MCCG 之前、2012 年（截至 2010 年）和之后（截至 2014 年）的可持续发展报告质量。

发现

研究结果表明，从 2010 年到 2014 年，可持续发展报告的质量显着提高。多元回归分析的结果表明，董事会参加的可持续发展相关培训的数量和具有可持续发展能力的董事比例相关经验对可持续发展报告的质量有重大影响。

实际影响

该研究的观察结果对任命具有可持续发展相关经验的董事作为董事任命标准的一部分的重要性提供了有用的见解。此外，鼓励董事会参加与可持续发展相关的培训，以帮助公司改进可持续发展实践和报告。

社会影响

可持续发展报告质量的提高表明，公司致力于确保将环境退化（如果不能消除）降至最低水平。公司似乎正在接受可持续发展报告的概念，从而为改善和增强社会福祉做出贡献。

原创性/价值

本研究有助于讨论公司治理结构的内部机制（董事会独立性和董事会资本）和外部机制（遵守公司治理准则）对可持续发展报告质量的影响。调查结果可用于确定应加强的必要机制，以加强可持续性报告的实践。