The Effect of Corporate Governance on Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosure by Firms in the Nigerian Food Product Industry

Abstract

This study examines the effects of corporate governance on corporate social responsibility disclosure of firms in the Nigerian food products industry. A sample of five food product companies is taken for a period of 2008-2012. The research made use of secondary data generated from annual reports and accounts of the sampled companies. The data was analyzed by means of descriptive statistics and regression analysis using STATA package. The results divulge that board size has positive and significant association with CSRD, thus, the most important determinant of corporate social responsibility disclosure of food product companies. While CEO Duality has positive but insignificant relationship with CSRD, However, board composition, and Audit Committee Composition have negative effects on corporate social responsibility disclosure of the sampled firms.  Based on the findings, the study recommends among others; Board size should not be less than 7 members given the magnitude of higher number of board size to greater disclosure of CSR activities of the sampled firms. Audit committee composition and board composition should comprise of competent members. Primarily, the companies should ensure adequate adherence to the code of corporate governance in view of its fundamental importance in the actualization of increased CSR disclosure.

Keywords: Corporate Social Responsibility Disclosure (CSRD), Corporate Governance (CG), Board Size, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).