Corporate Governance, Social Responsibility and Performance

A special issue of World (ISSN 2673-4060).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2025) | Viewed by 7579

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
University of St Andrews Business School, University of St Andrews, North Haugh, St Andrews KY16 9RJ, UK
Interests: sustainability; corporate disclosure; corporate governance; SDGs; textual analysis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue aims to explore the intersection between corporate governance, corporate social responsibility, and corporate performance. With increasing changes in the dynamics of corporate governance and its reflection on the CSR approaches of organizations, the way this interaction differs from organizations requires attention, especially from the lens of its impact on corporate performance. This issue will investigate both historical and contemporary developments and changes in how organization governance and CSR posture and practices influence their corporate performance.

(1) Introduction: We will provide a comprehensive overview of the scientific background, outlining the evolution of corporate governance, corporate social responsibility, and the growing significance of how these impact corporate performance.

(2) Aim of the Special Issue: Our objective is to bridge the gap between governance, corporate social responsibility, and corporate performance through both qualitative and quantitative analysis, which falls within the journal’s scope. We will explore how corporate organizations, through a diversity of corporate governance structures, approaches, and adherence to regulatory and firm changes, contribute significantly to corporate performance regardless of firm size and geographical location.

(3) Suggested themes: We invite submissions related, but not limited to the following themes:

  • Board committee attributes and corporate performance.
  • Chair–CEO relationship and CSR.
  • Textual analysis of Chair and CEO statement.
  • CSR models and corporate performance.
  • Corporate governance and non-financial performance.
  • Corporate governance and regulatory reforms.
  • CEO turnover and firm performance.
  • Corporate governance policies and corporate performance.
  • Shareholder rights and engagement.
  • Role of audit committee and firm performance.
  • Technology and digitalization and corporate governance.
  • Institutional investor and firm performance.
  • Quantitative analysis of governance, CSR, and firm performance.

In this Special Issue, we welcome original research articles and reviews, offering diverse perspectives and insights into the Sustainable Development Goals. Contributors are encouraged to explore interdisciplinary approaches, enhancing our understanding of sustainable business practices in a rapidly changing world.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Mahmoud Elmarzouky
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. World is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1000 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • corporate governance
  • corporate social responsibility
  • corporate performance
  • chair state-ments
  • CEO turnover
  • board committees
  • shareholder rights and engagement

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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26 pages, 1369 KiB  
Article
Ethiopian Economic Liberalization Policy Domains and International Competitive Priorities: Nexus of Export Performance of Manufacturing Firms After 1991 Economic Reforms
by Mohammed Ahmed Endris, Abebe Ejigu Alemu and Abiyot Tsegaye Kiberet
World 2025, 6(2), 40; https://doi.org/10.3390/world6020040 - 28 Mar 2025
Viewed by 458
Abstract
This study investigates the effect of Ethiopian economic liberalization policy and manufacturing firms’ international competitive priorities on the export performance after economic reforms in 1991. This study also aims to clarify how these economic reforms and the firm’s competitive priorities affect the international [...] Read more.
This study investigates the effect of Ethiopian economic liberalization policy and manufacturing firms’ international competitive priorities on the export performance after economic reforms in 1991. This study also aims to clarify how these economic reforms and the firm’s competitive priorities affect the international market export performance. This study further examines and identifies the most important variables that significantly affect export performance in relation to economic liberalization and the firm’s competitiveness. To achieve these objectives, both primary and secondary data were collected. A cross-sectional survey was conducted from 114 fully privatized manufacturing firms, utilizing a structured questionnaire with five Likert-scale items. The findings of this research indicate that law and order (LaO) and government intervention, incentive schemes, and trade openness have a significant relationship with the export performance of exporting firms in Ethiopia. This study also infers that firms must incorporate firm’s international competitive priorities’ cost, flexibility, and product quality as part of their competitive strategy. These competitive priority metrics limit export performance in terms of both subjective (e.g., export satisfaction) and quantitative (market share, profit) factors. This study concludes that economic liberalization and competitive priority measures are positive and have a significant relationship with the export performance of manufacturing firms in Ethiopia after 1991 reforms. The result also provides valuable insights for manufacturing firms and policymakers, highlighting the importance of economic liberalization in enhancing the export capabilities of privatized firms. These insights can guide the development of effective strategies to boost exports and foster sustainable economic growth. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Corporate Governance, Social Responsibility and Performance)
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28 pages, 1679 KiB  
Article
Green Innovation and Environmental Performance: The Moderating Roles of Governance and Policy
by Fatima Batool, Muhammad Mohsin and Belal Mahmoud Alwadi
World 2025, 6(1), 29; https://doi.org/10.3390/world6010029 - 17 Feb 2025
Viewed by 1316
Abstract
This study investigates the impact of green innovation (GI) on corporate environmental performance (CEP), while examining the moderating roles of corporate governance practices (CGPs) and environmental policy pressure (EPP). This study uses advanced statistical methods to ensure the reliability of the results. These [...] Read more.
This study investigates the impact of green innovation (GI) on corporate environmental performance (CEP), while examining the moderating roles of corporate governance practices (CGPs) and environmental policy pressure (EPP). This study uses advanced statistical methods to ensure the reliability of the results. These include techniques such as propensity score matching (PSM), difference-in-differences (DID) analysis with China’s National Green Development Fund (2020) as the policy intervention, and the generalized method of moments (GMM), and this study examines how internal governance mechanisms and external regulatory pressures influence the GI-CEP relationship. The results show that GI significantly increases CEP, and that this effect is amplified by robust CGPs and EPP. By analyzing data from 4026 firm-year observations of A-share listed Chinese companies (2017–2022), the findings highlight the importance of innovation, governance, and policy in achieving sustainable environmental outcomes. This study provides valuable insights for firms and policymakers to foster green innovation and align corporate strategies with global sustainability goals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Corporate Governance, Social Responsibility and Performance)
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33 pages, 1618 KiB  
Article
Current Challenges of Good Corporate Governance in NGOs: Case of Slovenia
by Dejan Jelovac
World 2025, 6(1), 28; https://doi.org/10.3390/world6010028 - 17 Feb 2025
Viewed by 852
Abstract
Organizations in the Third Sector operating in still non-Western contexts need to have enhanced governance models that match the need to ensure ethical and efficient commercial operations within their mission. The key research question of the present article is how the implementation of [...] Read more.
Organizations in the Third Sector operating in still non-Western contexts need to have enhanced governance models that match the need to ensure ethical and efficient commercial operations within their mission. The key research question of the present article is how the implementation of good corporate governance (GCG) in Slovenian NGOs will contribute to strengthening their legitimacy, stakeholder trust, and effectiveness in achieving social goals. This article develops a conceptual model that should include all key variables, mediators, moderators, and latent constructs in itself, serving as a theoretical basis for future empirical studies and best practices. The main finding is that GCG should be organized as a single-track administrative body of public institutes in the future. Better single-track GCG regulations, which would presuppose the amendment of legislation, can be created and executed in practice only by working together with the public, regulatory agencies, academic community, NGOs, and prominent intellectuals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Corporate Governance, Social Responsibility and Performance)
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18 pages, 1397 KiB  
Article
Exploring the Impact of Foreign Aid, Agricultural Production, and Corporate Social Responsibility on Poverty Reduction in Pakistan
by Asad Abbas, Feng Lu, Muhammad Yaseen and Muhhamad Ameen
World 2024, 5(3), 570-587; https://doi.org/10.3390/world5030029 - 10 Jul 2024
Viewed by 2393
Abstract
For many years, Pakistan’s economic progress and development have primarily depended on agriculture. However, widespread rural poverty impairs agricultural productivity, which worsens the outlook for growth for both the agricultural sector and the nation as a whole. Raising farmers’ incomes through rural development [...] Read more.
For many years, Pakistan’s economic progress and development have primarily depended on agriculture. However, widespread rural poverty impairs agricultural productivity, which worsens the outlook for growth for both the agricultural sector and the nation as a whole. Raising farmers’ incomes through rural development is a key component of agricultural reform, and the prime objective of this study is to identify how government policies and foreign aid affect Pakistan’s degree of rural poverty. This research aims to check the mediating role of rural development for the relationship of foreign aid, agricultural production, and corporate social responsibility with poverty reduction. This research also examines the moderating role of government support in the relationship of rural development with poverty reduction. In this regard, the current study proposes four hypotheses of direct relationships, three mediating relationships, and one moderating relationship. The population comprised farmers. The sample size of 119 was determined using G*Power with medium effect size settings, ensuring a robust representation of the target group. To gather primary data, a close-ended structured questionnaire was administered, employing a 7-point Likert scale to gather respondents’ opinions. This study investigates the Punjab province’s agricultural landscape from a quantitative perspective, using convenient sampling to identify the characteristics that contribute to reducing poverty, and was conducted from January to December 2023. Analytical procedures utilizing Smart PLS 4.0.9.6 for SEM testing reveal that all proposed hypotheses, including direct, mediating, and moderating, are accepted. The main results show that rural development significantly mediates the relationship between foreign aid, agricultural production, and corporate social responsibility with poverty reduction. Furthermore, government support positively moderates the relationship between rural development and poverty reduction. The findings underscore the significance of rural development, coupled with government support, as a pivotal factor in effectively reducing poverty in Pakistan’s economic landscape. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Corporate Governance, Social Responsibility and Performance)
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Review

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13 pages, 250 KiB  
Review
Effort–Reward Imbalance and Passion Exploitation: A Narrative Review and a New Perspective
by Keisuke Kokubun
World 2024, 5(4), 1235-1247; https://doi.org/10.3390/world5040063 - 1 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1675
Abstract
This paper provides a narrative review of previous research on effort–reward imbalance (ERI) and passion exploitation, providing a perspective for future research. Previous research has shown that ERI can cause work stress, negative economic behavior such as job turnover, and illnesses such as [...] Read more.
This paper provides a narrative review of previous research on effort–reward imbalance (ERI) and passion exploitation, providing a perspective for future research. Previous research has shown that ERI can cause work stress, negative economic behavior such as job turnover, and illnesses such as metabolic syndrome. Previous research also claims that loyal and generous people, as well as young people and women, are more likely to be targets of passion exploitation. However, there are unresolved issues in previous research, such as (i) the mechanism by which effort–reward imbalance leads to stress and illness, (ii) there being lack of research on what types of jobs are more likely to experience imbalance, and (iii) there being lack of research on what level of imbalance is acceptable, and therefore further research is required. To this end, this study recommends addressing these challenges through the integration of ERI and passion exploitation theory. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Corporate Governance, Social Responsibility and Performance)
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