The moderating role of social responsibility committees on the relationship between board characteristics and sustainability performance in the GCC countries

The study aimed to examine the moderating impact of social responsibility committees on the relationship between board characteristics and the social dimension of sustainable development in the GCC countries. The study sample comprises 366 companies listed on the GCC stock markets for the period from 2013 to 2022, resulting in 3660 firm-year observations. Panel data analysis with ordinary least squares regression using E-Views 10 was conducted to estimate the study findings. To ensure the findings’ robustness and specific country contextual relevance, the estimation was carried out in two stages: first, at the country level to capture the effect of board characteristics on social sustainability; and second, at the overall sample level to estimate general trends across the GCC countries. Further, the Generalized Method of Moments was also used to address potential endogeneity issues and enhance the reliability of the estimated results. The study findings revealed that board characteristics such as size, independence, meetings, experience, and diversity positively impact the social dimension of sustainable development in the GCC countries. Furthermore, the study concluded that the social responsibility committees moderate the relationship between board characteristics and the implementation of the social dimension of sustainable development. The study helps to broaden the understanding of stakeholder theory and governance theory by explaining how social responsibility committees affect a company’s approach to social issues. Moreover, the study provides decision-makers, regulatory bodies, and boards of directors in the GCC with empirical evidence that can be used to enhance the effectiveness of corporate governance by activating the role of the social responsibility committee in supporting social initiatives.