Does Corporate Digital Governance Influence Corporate Sustainability Reporting Transparency? Evidence From Ghana

Abstract

Although sustainability reporting has gained prominence as a mechanism for corporate responsibility, the transparency, and credibility of disclosed sustainability information remain inadequate, especially in emerging nations where technology adoption is uneven. This study examines the influence of digital governance (DG) on corporate sustainability reporting transparency (CSRT), taking into account the mediating effect of digital technologies (DTs) and the moderating effect of external assurance (EA). This study is grounded in stakeholder and institutional theory. Primary data were collected from 350 participants from various firms in Ghana using structured survey questionnaires. A purposive sampling approach was used to select participant firms. The data were analyzed using SmartPLS 4, following the partial least squares structural equation model (PLS‐SEM) approach. The study results showed that DG positively and significantly influences CSRT. Moreover, DT significantly mediates the relationship between DG and CSRT, and EA significantly moderates this relationship. The study's insights guide policymakers to promote enabling digital regulatory regimes, as well as business managers investing in technological infrastructure and assurance practices, and to enhance sustainability reporting quality and stakeholder confidence.