Boards’ Gender Mix and Extent of Environmental Responsibility Information Disclosure in Nigeria: An Empirical Study

Abstract

This study examines the extent to which environmental information disclosure is predicted by a board’s gender mix. An empirical analysis of panel data from environmentally sensitive sectors of the Nigerian stock exchange shows that the presence and proportion of female directors on a board has a significant impact on its environmental responsibility and information disclosure. Slack resources in contrast had no effect on the extent of environmental practices of sample firms. The study recommends conscious efforts both at firm and governmental levels in striking equipoise in the gender mix of corporate boards and also defining stringent rules in practices and reporting of environmental concerns.

Keywords: Social responsibility, corporate governance, environmental reporting, emissions, labor discrimination