Corporate governance determinants of sustainable manufacturing practice: the case of zero-defect manufacturing in multinational corporations

Purpose This study aims to investigate the corporate governance (CG) determinants of sustainable manufacturing practice using zero-defect manufacturing (ZDM) from the stakeholder theory and legitimacy theory perspectives. Design/methodology/approach Using a panel research design, the study analyses empirical data from Global 500 companies covering a 15-year period. Findings The results show that Board Independence, Meeting Attendance by Board Members, Board Gender Diversity and Board Skills on Sustainable Manufacturing are positively associated with ZDM Practice, while Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Duality of Power has a negative impact. In the millennium development goals period, the foremost drivers of ZDM Practice are Board Independence, Board Gender Diversity and Board Skills on Sustainable Manufacturing, while this shifted to Board Independence and Board Gender Diversity in the sustainable development goals period. Originality/value The study provides empirical evidence that organisations seeking to improve sustainable manufacturing practice may consider strengthening their CG structures to demonstrate responsible manufacturing in line with stakeholders’ expectations and to preserve corporate legitimacy. The results are robust to alternative proxies, potential endogeneity concerns and sample selection bias.