ESG Controversies in ASEAN-5: The Role of Board Structure and Governance Characteristics

Authors

  • Choirun Nisak Department of Accounting, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Semarang, Indonesia
  • Badingatus Solikhah Department of Accounting, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Semarang, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24912/ja.v30i1.3509
Keywords: Corporate Governance; ESG Controversies; ASEAN-5.

Abstract

This study analyzes the effects of corporate governance mechanisms on ESG controversies among non-financial ASEAN-5 firms from 2021–2024, with firm size as a moderator. Using a Fixed Effects Model with PCSE, the findings show that audit committee independence and board gender diversity significantly reduce ESG controversies, whereas board independence increases controversy exposure due to greater transparency. CEO duality exhibits a marginally positive effect. Firm size weakens the positive effects of CEO duality, audit committee independence, and gender diversity, while reducing the adverse effect of board independence. Robustness tests confirm the consistency of results. Overall, the study emphasizes that the role of governance in mitigating ESG controversies depends on organizational scale and institutional context.


Author Biographies

Choirun Nisak, Department of Accounting, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Semarang, Indonesia

choirunnisak@students.unnes.ac.id

Badingatus Solikhah, Department of Accounting, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Semarang, Indonesia

badingatusbety@mail.unnes.ac.id

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2026-02-05

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Nisak, C., & Solikhah, B. . (2026). ESG Controversies in ASEAN-5: The Role of Board Structure and Governance Characteristics. Jurnal Akuntansi, 30(1), 223–249. https://doi.org/10.24912/ja.v30i1.3509