This study aims to examine the influence of board independence on corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting by publicly listed companies in Malaysia. Content analysis was used to determine the extent of CSR reporting. A reporting index consisting of 51 items was developed based on six themes: General, Community, Environment, Human Resources, Marketplace and Other. An Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression was used to examine the relationship between board independence and firm CSR reporting. The results indicate that the association between board independence and company CSR reporting is industry specific. Overall, the empirical evidence partially supports agency theory. KeywordsAgency Theory, CSR, Board Independence, Malaysia AbstractThis study aims to examine the influence of board independence on corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting by publicly listed companies in Malaysia. Content analysis was used to determine the extent of CSR reporting. A reporting index consisting of 51 items was developed based on six themes: General, Community, Environment, Human Resources, Marketplace and Other. An Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression was used to examine the relationship between board independence and firm CSR reporting. The results indicate that the association between board independence and company CSR reporting is industry specific. Overall, the empirical evidence partially supports agency theory IntroductionCompanies have reported on their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) obligations for more than three decades (Deegan, 2013). The notion of CSR requires companies to consider the social, economic and environmental consequences of their operations and suggests that they address the needs and expectations of stakeholders such as investors, customers, suppliers, regulators and society. Consequently, growing numbers of companies are informing their stakeholders of their social and environmental performance through print-based reporting or their websites. Although it is costly and voluntary by nature, companies still embrace in CSR, as it has been accepted as a long-term business strategy (Jamali and Mirshak, 2007) and a source of competitive advantage. It is a way to gain, maintain and repair legitimacy (Deegan et al., 2000), and it enhances a company's reputation and risk management.Consistent with the increased importance of CSR, boards' roles and responsibilities have been extended from the traditional shareholder-centric view to encompass various stakeholders. Boards of directors influence CSR in various ways, from establishing stakeholder friendly corporate policies to creating committees that deal with CSR-related matters. They are also expected to monitor company performance financially and socially (Janggu et al., 2014) and are accountable for any decisions made by management to serve for the best interest of shareholders. The board of directors also plays a pivotal role in a company's CSR activities. Nevertheless, the decision to demonstrate social and environmental responsibi...

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This study aims to examine the impact of CEO duality on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) reporting by public listed companies in Malaysia. Content analysis was used to determine the extent of CSR reporting. A reporting level index consisting of 51 items was developed based on six themes: General, Community, Environment, Human Resource, Marketplace and Other. In order to determine the relationship between CEO duality and CSR reporting, an Ordinary Least Square regression was employed. The finding of the study is that, there is no significant association between CEO duality and CSR reporting. CEOs have little interest to promote CSR as it is not cost free and may lead to loss of individual wealth. The finding of this study implies that dual leadership structure reduces checks and balance and makes CEOs less accountable to all stakeholders. As for regulators, this study will provide valuable input to assist in their continuous efforts to improve corporate governance and social responsibility practices that may promote the interest of all stakeholders.

This study aims at determining the effectiveness of board meeting frequency on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) reporting by public listed companies on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia. A CSR reporting index consisting of 51 items was developed based on six themes: General, Community, Environment, Human Resource, Marketplace and Other. A content analysis was used to determine the extent of CSR reporting. An Ordinary Least Square (OLS) regression was employed in determining the association between board meeting frequency and CSR reporting. The finding of the study is that advising tendency (frequency of board meetings) is not associated with CSR reporting. Overall this study strengthens the idea that advising tendency of the board is essential to companies in order to safeguard all stakeholders’ interests. Accordingly, regulators and policymakers should be more stringent in monitoring company’s conformance towards regulations. This study provides a new avenue of knowledge and contributes to the literature on the practices of the board of directors and corporate social responsibility reporting in the context of a semi-developed country.