The Effect of Publishing Sustainability Reports on Improving Corporate Governance and Financial Performance

[Purpose] As corporate social responsibility gains importance, sustainability reports have become essential for demonstrating a company’s commitment to sustainable management across environmental, social, and economic dimensions. [Purpose] This study examines the relationship between the publication of sustainability reports and corporate self－improvement, focusing on listed companies in South Korea from 2018 to 2022. [Findings] The analysis reveals that sustainability reports positively influence corporate governance and have a limited yet favorable impact on financial performance, as measured by return on assets (ROA). [Implications] These findings indicate that publishing sustainability reports can lead to voluntary enhancements in corporate governance, improving management efficiency and decision－making quality, which ultimately boosts profitability. Thus, issuing sustainability reports is proposed as a valuable strategy for future－oriented corporate development.