Does board independence affect environmental disclosures by multinational corporations? Moderating effects of national culture

Abstract

Over the past two decades, corporate social responsibility has become an important topic in business practice research. In this study, we investigate the relationship between board independence and environmental disclosures made by multinational corporations (MNCs) and the moderating effects of national culture on that relationship. We empirically test these objectives with a data set of 151 MNCs based in China, Japan, the UK, and the USA, using content analysis and a new method for measuring environmental disclosures of MNCs. Results indicate (1) a significantly positive relationship between board independence and environmental disclosures for MNCs and (2) that masculinity and uncertainty avoidance negatively moderate this relationship, demonstrating the important role of culture in corporate disclosures.