Board governance model, institutions, financial performance, and environmental performance: Stakeholder supremacy or coordination problems?

Abstract

This study aims to determine the mediating effect of environmental performance (EP) on the relationship among the board governance model (BGM, i.e., one‐ or two‐tier board), institutions (regulatory quality, rule of law, and control of corruption), and financial performance (FP). Motivated by the theoretical disputes surrounding the effectiveness of BGM, this study draws upon the supremacy of shareholders versus stakeholder's perspective and the coercive pressure from institutional theory to explain corporate legitimacy practices. Thus far, only a few studies have explored the role of BGM and institutions in a firm's EP and FP. By analyzing 1112 listed firms in emerging markets from 2013 to 2020, this study shows that institutions positively affect EP and FP through a regulatory quality indicator. Specifically, the two‐tier board indicator improves EP at the expense of FP. Despite the increasing pressure to embrace sustainable practices in countries that adopt the one‐tier board model, the formalization of stakeholder supremacy within the two‐tier board structure is considered beneficial. EP does not act as a mediator in the relationship between BGM and FP.