The influence of board of directors’ characteristics on corporate social responsibility disclosures in Jordanian Islamic banks

Abstract

In an era where organizations are increasingly recognizing the paramount importance of addressing societal and environmental concerns, corporate social responsibility (CSR) has emerged as a pivotal facet of contemporary business practices. Within the banking sector, Islamic banks assume a significant role in advocating ethical and socially responsible conduct. This study delves into the impact of the board of directors' characteristics on corporate social responsibility disclosures (CSRD) within Jordanian Islamic banks. Data were meticulously gathered from three Jordanian Islamic banks, all of which are listed on the Amman Stock Exchange (ASE), over the span of the years 2010 to 2022. Our findings illuminate that Jordanian Islamic banks, on average, disclose 47 percent of their CSR endeavors, marking a commendable level of transparency, particularly when contrasted with less developed economies. Notably, independent directors comprise 42% of the board composition, with the average age of board members standing at 41 years. Moreover, 8.10% of board members hold degrees in finance and accounting, while 0.24% possess professional experience within the Big Four accounting firms. On average, Jordanian Islamic banks convene 10.27 board meetings annually, and 48% of directors maintain multiple directorships. Significantly, our analysis underscores that all examined characteristics of board members have a favorable influence on CSR disclosure within Jordanian Islamic banks. This paper constitutes a substantial contribution to the extant literature by providing empirical substantiation of the nexus between the board of directors' characteristics and CSRD in Jordanian Islamic banks, with a specific emphasis on the unique domain of Islamic banking, which has hitherto received limited scholarly attention. Further avenues of research are recommended to explore additional variables and delve deeper into the intricate interplay between board characteristics, external contextual factors, and the disclosure of CSR activities.