Antecedents and Consequences of Corporate Pro-Sustainable Practices
This project investigates the drivers and consequences of corporate engagement in pro-sustainable practices, focusing on corporate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance and disclosure practices.
![Two trees and a wind turbine.](http://cdn.sheffield.ac.uk/sites/default/files/styles/mobile_single_column_1x/public/2024-07/windmill-5591464_1280.jpg?h=0a6416c3&itok=Qf9idg_D)
Project description
This project aims to explore the drivers and consequences of corporate engagement in pro-sustainable practices on a global scale. It utilises various theoretical perspectives, including institutional theory, legitimacy theory, and the resource-based view—and advanced statistical techniques. These techniques include the Powell (2022) panel quantile regression model, entropy balancing, propensity score matching, and the difference-in-differences technique. We argue that at the macro level, institutional mechanisms such as public governance are the most prominent drivers of pro-sustainable practices. Conversely, at the micro level, factors such as gender diversity, R&D, and eco-innovation are the most influential determinants.
Furthermore, corporate engagement in pro-sustainable practices - like environmental and social disclosures - is crucial for enhancing a firm's market value and facilitating more affordable access to debt capital.
This research project is led by Dr Ali Meftah Gerged from the University of Sheffield and co-authored by several internationally reputable scholars. These include Professor Ali Uyar from Excelia Business School, France; Professor Cemil Kuzey from Murray State University, USA; Professor Abdullah S. Karaman from the American University of the Middle East, Kuwait; Professor Chris Cowton and Professor Eshani Beddewela from the University of Huddersfield; Professor Collins Ntim from the University of Southampton; Dr Ernest Ezeani from Heriot-Watt University; Dr Nadia Zahoor from the Queen Mary University of London; Dr Lane Matthews from Queen's University Belfast; and Dr Bilal from Durham University, among others.
Key research outputs
- Gerged, A. M., Kuzey, C., Uyar, A., & Karaman, A. S. (2024). Aggressive CSR strategy and CSR awarding: managerial opportunism versus social activism. Journal of Accounting Literature. doi:10.1108/JAL-10-2023-0177
- Uyar, A., Gerged, A. M., Kuzey, C., & Karaman, A. S. (2024). Renewable energy use, slack financial resources, and board attribute: does energy efficiency policy matter? Business Strategy and the Environment. doi:10.1002/bse.3739
- Gerged, A., M., Zahoor, N. and Cowton, C. (2023). Environmental Management Accounting, Environmental Innovation and Firm Performance: Evidence from SMEs of a Developing Economy'. Management Accounting Research, 100865.
- Sarhan, A., and Gerged, A., M. (2023). Do corporate anti-bribery and corruption commitments enhance environmental management performance? The moderating role of corporate social responsibility accountability and executive compensation governance. Journal of Environmental Management, 341, 118063
- Bilal, Gerged, A., M., Arslan, H., Abbas, A., Chen, S., & Manzoor, S. (2023). A bibliometric review of corporate environmental disclosure Literature. Journal of Accounting Literature. DOI: 10.1108/JAL-01-2022-0006.
- Gerged, A., M., Uyar, A. and Karaman, A. (2023). Does investment stimulate or inhibit corporate transparency? The moderating role of the CSR committee, board monitoring, and CEO duality. Journal of Business Research. 159, 113762.
- Gerged, A., M., M, Salem, R, Beddewela, E. (2023). How Does Transparency into International Sustainability Initiatives Influence Firm Value? Insights from Anglo-American Countries. Business Strategy and the Environment, 1-22.
- Gerged, A., M., Tran, M. and Beddewela, E. (2023). 'Engendering Pro-Sustainable Performance Through a Multi-Layered Gender Diversity Criterion: Evidence from the Hospitality and Tourism Sector'. Journal of Travel Research, 62(5), 1047-1076.
- Gerged, A., M., Chijoke-Mgbame, M., Konadu, R. & Cowton. C. (2023). Does the presence of an environmental committee strengthen the impact of board gender diversity on corporate environmental disclosure? Evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa. Business Strategy and the Environment, 32(4), 2434-2450.
- Gerged, A., M., Albitar, K., & Al-Haddad, L. M. (2023). Corporate environmental disclosure and earnings management – the moderating role of corporate governance structures. International Journal of Finance and Economics, 28(3), 2789-2810.
- Gerged, A., M., Beddewela, E., and Cowton, C. (2023). Does country-level governance quality affect corporate environmental disclosure? Evidence from the Gulf Cooperation Council nations. International Journal of Finance and Economics, 28(2), 1179-1200.
- Gerged, A., M. & Elmontaser, T. (2021). Corporate Adoption of SDG Reporting in A Non-enabling Institutional Environment – Insights from the Libyan Oil Industries. Resources Policy, 74, 102240.
- Gerged, A., M., Matthews, L., & Elheddad, M. (2021). Mandatory Disclosure, Greenhouse Gas Emissions and the Cost of Equity Capital: UK Evidence of a U-shaped relationship. Business Strategy and the Environment, 30(2), 908-930.
- Gerged, A., M. (2021). Factors affecting corporate environmental disclosure in emerging markets – the role of corporate governance structures. Business Strategy and the Environment, 30(1), 609-629.
- Gerged, A., M., Beddewela, E. S., & Cowton, C. J. (2021). Is corporate environmental disclosure associated with firm value? A multi-country study of Gulf Cooperation Council firms. Business Strategy and the Environment, 30(1), 185-203.
Research activity
- Gerged, A., M., Chijoke-Mgbame, M., Renata, K. (2022). "Women on Boards, environmental committee, and corporate environmental disclosure in the sub-Saharan African (SSA) Region". The British Accounting and Finance Association (BAFA) Annual Conference, 11 April 2022 in Nottingham, England, the UK.
- Sarhan, A. and Gerged A., M. (2023). Corruption Fighting and Environmental Performance: The Effect of Corporate Social Responsibility Commitment. The 45th Annual Congress of the European Accounting Association (EAA), Espoo-Finland, from 24-26 May 2023.