Sustainability Reporting, Greenwashing, Corporate Governance, Corporate Social Responsibility, Financial Accounting
59
Scopus Publications
7969
Scholar Citations
35
Scholar h-index
49
Scholar i10-index
Scopus Publications
From claims to commitments: Does corporate governance help firms walk their talk? George Frederick Nel, Wafaa Salah, Nazim Hussain Journal of Accounting in Emerging Economies, 2026 Purpose This study investigates how corporate governance (CG) influences the alignment between firms’ environmental performance and their environmental disclosure practices. Drawing on the concept of policy–practice decoupling, the study examines whether CG mechanisms enhance the credibility and consistency of environmental reporting. Design/methodology/approach Using a panel dataset of 80 Johannesburg Stock Exchange-listed firms covering the period 2012 to 2023, the study employs panel-corrected standard error regressions and various robustness tests. Corporate carbon performance (CCP) is used as a proxy for environmental commitment, and environmental disclosure level (EDL) captures the extent of implementation. Findings The results show a significant positive relationship between CCP and EDL, suggesting that firms with stronger environmental performance are more likely to disclose information. Furthermore, corporate governance significantly moderates this relationship, with stronger governance associated with greater alignment between commitment and disclosure. Originality/value This study contributes to emerging literature on the role of governance in reducing policy–practice decoupling in sustainability. It offers evidence from an under-researched emerging market context (i.e. South Africa), where progressive governance reforms coexist with many implementation challenges. The findings offer insights for regulators, boards, and investors aiming to enhance the transparency and credibility of corporate sustainability practices.
IFRS adoption strategies in emerging markets and economic outcomes: evidence from a systematic literature review for the MENA region David Procházka, Sarah Chehade, Nazim Hussain Journal of Accounting in Emerging Economies, 2026 Purpose This paper systematically reviews the literature on International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) adoption strategies and economic outcomes in the MENA region. It aims to explain why countries in the region exhibit divergent IFRS adoption paths, identify the main benefits and limitations of harmonisation, and explore the factors influencing adoption success. Design/methodology/approach This study employs a systematic literature review (SLR) methodology to analyse 159 academic publications, with a focus on the cultural, political, and institutional perspectives that help explain the variation in IFRS adoption strategies across MENA countries. The review also evaluates the key challenges that hinder the realisation of the anticipated benefits associated with the adoption process. Additionally, a bibliometric analysis was co-employed to uncover thematic patterns and trends within the existing literature. Findings The reviewed literature provides evidence that institutional pressures promote the IFRS adoption in the region. However, political dynamics, cultural norms, and Islamic finance often lead to partial adoption or to adoption with substantial modifications. Such adaptations tend to constrain the potential positive effects of IFRS adoption, which remain highly contingent on broader institutional reforms beyond financial reporting. Moreover, initial benefits often diminish over time due to persistent political and economic instability. Originality/value This paper offers a comprehensive, context-specific synthesis of the adoption of IFRS in the MENA region. Institutional and cultural theories are applied to explain cross-country differences in both IFRS adoption strategies and adoption outcomes. Based on the findings of the SLR, we propose a structured future research agenda focusing on regulatory adaptations, political developments, and the interaction between IFRS and Islamic finance.
The ESG Emissions Paradox: Capability-Contingent Effects of Research and Development and Cost Leadership in Asia Mirza Muhammad Naseer, Nazim Hussain, Sana Akbar Khan, Giuseppe Nicolò Business Strategy and the Environment, 2026 This study investigates the impact of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, research and development (R&D) spending, and cost leadership strategies (CLSs) on the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance of Asian firms from 2015 to 2023. Multiple econometric methods, including ordinary least squares (OLS), fixed effects, the generalized method of moments (GMM), and quantile regression, are employed to test the hypotheses. The study's findings indicate a positive association between GHG emissions intensity and ESG performance, suggesting that higher emitting firms tend to bolster their ESG ratings chiefly through enhanced transparency and governance practices rather than through emissions reductions. R&D intensity and CLS also demonstrate positive associations with ESG performance, with powerful effects among firms with initially lower capabilities. Quantile regression results indicate that these relationships vary across performance levels; top‐performing firms achieve a deeper level of sustainability integration, whereas lower performing firms rely more heavily on disclosure strategies. These results contribute to a deeper understanding of corporate sustainability in emerging markets and offer practical implications for policymakers, investors, and managers.
Financial institutions and sustainability reporting: evidence from a Sub-Saharan African country Paul Arkoh, Nazim Hussain Journal of Applied Accounting Research, 2026 Purpose To examine the extent of sustainability reporting and the relationship between reputation, government ownership, foreign ownership, board size, board gender diversity and the extent of sustainability reporting by financial institutions in Ghana using the concept of Africapitalism and stakeholder theory. Design/methodology/approach Annual and sustainability-related reports of 67 financial institutions in Ghana from 2019 to 2021 were analysed using content analysis and robust panel data analysis. Findings The extent of sustainability reporting by financial institutions in Ghana is very low. The environmental and energy-related items are the least disclosed. Reputation, government ownership, and foreign ownership have a significant positive relationship with the extent of sustainability reporting. Board size and board gender diversity did not show any significant relationship with the extent of sustainability reporting. Furthermore, the impacts of the determinants vary across the respective dimensions of the sustainability index. Research limitations/implications Many financial institutions were excluded from the study due to unpublished annual reports and inactive websites. Practical implications Corporate governance tools and firm features alone cannot improve sustainability reporting. Strong regulations are needed to improve the level of reporting. Originality/value To the best of our knowledge, the study is the first to apply the Africapitalism concept to examine African firms' sustainability reporting. It thus contributes to developing this theory and the decolonisation of sustainability research. It also extends the literature on sustainability reporting of unlisted financial institutions, especially in emerging economies.
Green Human Resource Management (GHRM) and Environment Social Governance (ESG): A Systematic Literature Review Zile Huma, Emma Garcia Meca, Jennifer Martínez‐Ferrero, Nazim Hussain Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 2026 This paper presents a systematic literature review exploring the intersection of Green Human Resource Management (GHRM) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria. The study synthesizes current research, identifies prevailing trends, and highlights gaps within this emerging field. It examines GHRM practices such as eco‐friendly recruitment, training, performance management, and employee involvement for their influence on ESG performance in organizations. The study utilizes the bibliometric tool SciMAT. It maps the intellectual structure and evolution of this interdisciplinary domain, uncovering key themes, trends, and research clusters. The findings emphasize that GHRM practices play a pivotal role in promoting organizational sustainability, enhancing ESG performance by fostering a culture of environmental stewardship and social responsibility. Integrating ESG criteria into human resource practices is shown to improve corporate transparency and drive long‐term value creation. While the analysis underscores the potential of GHRM to align HRM strategies with broader sustainability and governance objectives, it also highlights the need for further empirical research to establish causal relationships and evaluate the long‐term impacts of GHRM on ESG outcomes. This review demonstrates that a unified HRM framework is essential for advancing environmental and governance objectives, with GHRM playing a central role in driving ESG success. By bridging notable gaps in the literature, the study advances our understanding of the mutual influence between GHRM and ESG, offering valuable insights for both researchers and practitioners striving for organizational resilience and long‐term environmental performance. It provides a first combined bibliometric and theoretical framework connecting GHRM policies directly to ESG domains, thereby describing the devices by which human resource practices can be functional to achieve sustainability goals.
Climate Change Risk and Financial Market Response: An International Evidence From Performance Forecasts by Financial Analysts Cyrine Khiari, Imen Khanchel, Hatem Rjiba, Josephat Daniel Lotto, Nazim Hussain Journal of Forecasting, 2025 This study examines the effect of climate change exposure on analysts' forecasted stock performance operationalized by their actual recommendations. Our results indicate that firms with higher exposure to climate change receive less favorable recommendations from analysts. This effect is particularly pronounced in carbon‐intensive industries and in companies with poor environmental performance. Our results underscore the importance of considering climate change exposure when making investment decisions. By shedding light on the financial consequences of climate exposure, our study contributes to the growing literature on climate finance and offers valuable insights for investors, analysts, and policymakers seeking to assess and mitigate climate‐related financial risks.
Women in the C-Suite and Carbon Mitigation Actions: Understanding the Impact of the Disruptive Shocks From the COVID19 Pandemic and the Ukraine War Isabel‐María García‐Sánchez, Cristina Aibar‐Guzmán, Nazim Hussain, Beatriz Aibar‐Guzmán Sustainable Development, 2025 Achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 requires the implementation of ambitious policies and initiatives to reduce carbon emissions at the corporate level, which typically requires strong commitment from the top management team. This study examines to what extent greater female representation on top management teams leads to the development of a more advanced and integrated carbon reduction strategy, and how the context of crisis and uncertainty arising from the COVID19 and the Russia–Ukraine war may affect this relationship. Based on an index that measures the level of development of carbon mitigation actions, the findings, based on panel data from 3,212 multinational firms from 2013 to 2022, confirm the driving role of gender diversity in the C‐suite in the process of corporate decarbonization, especially in the timeframe leading up to the disruptive period 2020–2022. The results are robust to alternative methodological choices, confirming their research and practical implications.
Big-data AI analytics in value-chain innovation and international marketing strategy: insights from SMEs in cultural and creative industries Zupan Zong, Muhammad Azfar Anwar, Sana Khan, Fahad Asmi, Nazim Hussain International Marketing Review, 2025 Purpose Despite great consensus on the positive impact of big-data-driven artificial intelligence (AI) analytics (BDAI) on a firm’s performance, it still appears to be a black box mechanism through which small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) strengthen their dynamic competencies to innovate and expand their global footprint. To fill this theoretical and empirical gap we examine the relationship between BDAI affordances, digital marketing capabilities (DMCs), value-chain innovation and international market goals.Design/methodology/approach The study incorporates the dynamic capability view an extension of the resource-based view and the knowledge-based view to empirically examine the primary data collected from marketing managers and executives of SMEs in cultural and creative industries utilizing Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) analysis.Findings The study highlights the significant role of BDAI affordances such as intelligent process recommendations, customer intelligence and market intelligence on DMCs, where DMCs significantly affect value-chain innovation and international market strategy both directly and indirectly.Research limitations/implications The study minimizes the gap in identifying the BDAI affordances to drive innovation and international market strategy in the context of SMEs in cultural and creative industries. Marketing managers can incorporate these findings to enhance their digital capabilities for competitive advantages in international markets.Originality/value The study proposes a holistic framework of BDAI affordances for the strategic use of digital resources and knowledge to transform digital capabilities into new forms of value to expand in the international market. These insights are robust and grounded in findings provided by marketing practitioners.
Avoiding Harm by Doing Good. The Substantive Role of ESG Payments for Preventing ESG Misconduct Emma García‐Meca, Jennifer Martínez‐Ferrero, Nazim Hussain Business Strategy and the Environment, 2025 This paper examines whether an ESG‐based compensation policy plays a substantive or symbolic role in the prevention of firm ESG‐related misconduct. We anticipate that companies linking ESG to board compensation will experience fewer ESG‐related misconducts, aiming to avoid adverse consequences, mitigate market reactions, and minimize harm to stakeholders. We also expect that institutional ownership strengthens this relationship. By analyzing a sample of European firms between 2015 and 2020, we found that boards with an ESG‐linked compensation policy reduce irresponsible actions, confirming the substantive role of ESG‐linked compensation in curbing ESG misconduct. Our findings also show a complementary effect of institutional investors in this association. Finally, we found that variations in negative ESG media coverage of misconducts that result from undertaking ESG‐linked compensation policy can be explained by differences in legal systems and stakeholder orientation between countries. Specifically, our results suggest that ESG‐linked compensation only plays a meaningful substantive role in constraining ESG wrongdoing in civil law countries and those characterized by greater public enforcement, increased control over corruption, and higher environmental awareness.
Financial institutions and sustainability reporting: evidence from a Sub-Saharan African country P Arkoh, N Hussain Journal of Applied Accounting Research, 1-28 , 2026 2026
IFRS adoption strategies in emerging markets and economic outcomes: evidence from a systematic literature review for the MENA region D Procházka, S Chehade, N Hussain Journal of Accounting in Emerging Economies 16 (2), 352-376 , 2026 2026
The ESG Emissions Paradox: Capability‐Contingent Effects of Research and Development and Cost Leadership in Asia MM Naseer, N Hussain, SA Khan, G Nicolò Business Strategy and the Environment 35 (2), 3077-3092 , 2026 2026 Citations: 5
Climate Change Risk and Financial Market Response: An International Evidence From Performance Forecasts by Financial Analysts C Khiari, I Khanchel, H Rjiba, JD Lotto, N Hussain Journal of Forecasting 44 (8), 2315-2330 , 2025 2025
Women in the C‐Suite and Carbon Mitigation Actions: Understanding the Impact of the Disruptive Shocks From the COVID19 Pandemic and the Ukraine War IM García‐Sánchez, C Aibar‐Guzmán, N Hussain, B Aibar‐Guzmán Sustainable Development 33, 27-47 , 2025 2025 Citations: 2
From claims to commitments: Does corporate governance help firms walk their talk? GF Nel, W Salah, N Hussain Journal of Accounting in Emerging Economies, 1-26 , 2025 2025
Big-data AI analytics in value-chain innovation and international marketing strategy: insights from SMEs in cultural and creative industries Z Zong, MA Anwar, S Khan, F Asmi, N Hussain International Marketing Review 42 (4), 556-584 , 2025 2025 Citations: 25
ESG controversies and external assurance: Examining their impact on firm value and image IM García-Sánchez, N Hussain, C Aibar-Guzmán, B Aibar-Guzmán The British Accounting Review, 101704 , 2025 2025 Citations: 17
Shaping University Teaching Programs on Sustainability: Solidifying the Fluid Concept of Sustainability MP van der Steen, K Linke, P Dirks, N Hussain Education for Sustainable Development: The Contribution of Universities, 229-243 , 2025 2025
Working capital financing and firm performance: A machine learning approach F Mahmood, Z Ahmed, N Hussain, Y Ben-Zaied Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting 65 (1), 71-106 , 2025 2025 Citations: 17
Economic policy uncertainty and ecological performance of European companies: does the role of the board matter? I Ayadi, N Hussain, E Mwambuli Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management 32 (3), 3138-3149 , 2025 2025 Citations: 14
Avoiding harm by doing good. The substantive role of ESG payments for preventing ESG misconduct E García‐Meca, J Martínez‐Ferrero, N Hussain Business Strategy and the Environment 34 (4), 4354-4371 , 2025 2025 Citations: 12
Board‐level governance and corporate social responsibility: A meta‐analytic review N Hussain, SA Khan, DK Nguyen, A Stocchetti, S Corbet Journal of Economic Surveys 39 (1), 3-31 , 2025 2025 Citations: 29
Corporate social responsibility and capital structure: Moderating effect of culture C Mhiri, A Ajina, N Hussain, B Mnzava, M Wieczorek‐Kosmala Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management 32 (1), 698-717 , 2025 2025 Citations: 9
The Googling Effect on patient co-creation in physiotherapy service exchange WA Bhatti, A Chwialkowska, N Hussain, M Glowik Social Science & Medicine 359, 117282 , 2024 2024 Citations: 3
Breaking barriers: how do the marketing capabilities of emerging-market micro-multinationals drive social innovation? H Khan, J Amankwah-Amoah, R Lee, G Knight, N Hussain Management International Review 64 (4), 701-726 , 2024 2024 Citations: 10
Determinants and consequences of corporate social responsibility disclosure: A survey of extant literature W Ali, S Bekiros, N Hussain, SA Khan, DK Nguyen Journal of Economic Surveys 38 (3), 793-822 , 2024 2024 Citations: 78
How do depositors respond to banks' discretionary behaviors? Evidence from market discipline, deposit insurance, and scale effects DV Tran, N Hussain, DK Nguyen, TD Nguyen International Review of Financial Analysis 93, 103205 , 2024 2024 Citations: 10
Do foreign currency risk management strategies increase value in family business? S Mefteh-Wali, N Hussain International Review of Financial Analysis 93, 103151 , 2024 2024 Citations: 11
The roles of the financial professional in combating climate change through business circularity: implications for education and research P Dirks, N Hussain, MP Van der Steen University initiatives on climate change education and research, 1-22 , 2024 2024 Citations: 1
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Corporate governance and sustainability performance: Analysis of triple bottom line performance N Hussain, U Rigoni, RP Orij Journal of business ethics 149 (2), 411-432 , 2018 2018 Citations: 1892
Economic growth, renewable energy consumption, and ecological footprint: Exploring the role of environmental regulations and democracy in sustainable development Z Ahmed, M Ahmad, H Rjoub, OA Kalugina, N Hussain Sustainable Development 30 (4), 595-605 , 2022 2022 Citations: 569
Does it pay to be sustainable? Looking inside the black box of the relationship between sustainability performance and financial performance N Hussain, U Rigoni, E Cavezzali Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management 25 (6), 1198-1211 , 2018 2018 Citations: 490
Financial development and environmental degradation: do human capital and institutional quality make a difference? M Ahmad, Z Ahmed, X Yang, N Hussain, A Sinha Gondwana Research 105, 299-310 , 2022 2022 Citations: 455
Impact of disclosure and assurance quality of corporate sustainability reports on access to finance IM García‐Sánchez, N Hussain, J Martínez‐Ferrero, E Ruiz‐Barbadillo Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management 26 (4), 832-848 , 2019 2019 Citations: 340
Do markets punish or reward corporate social responsibility decoupling? IM García-Sánchez, N Hussain, SA Khan, J Martínez-Ferrero Business & Society 60 (6), 1431-1467 , 2021 2021 Citations: 316
Natural resources abundance, economic globalization, and carbon emissions: Advancing sustainable development agenda W Xiaoman, A Majeed, DG Vasbieva, CEW Yameogo, N Hussain Sustainable development 29 (5), 1037-1048 , 2021 2021 Citations: 311
Governing corporate social responsibility decoupling: The effect of the governance committee on corporate social responsibility decoupling AA Gull, N Hussain, SA Khan, Z Khan, A Saeed Journal of Business Ethics, 1-26 , 2022 2022 Citations: 267
Board gender composition and waste management: Cross-country evidence AA Gull, M Atif, N Hussain The British Accounting Review 55 (1), 101097 , 2023 2023 Citations: 202
Assurance of corporate social responsibility reports: Examining the role of internal and external corporate governance mechanisms IM García‐Sánchez, N Hussain, SA Khan, J Martínez‐Ferrero Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management 29 (1), 89-106 , 2022 2022 Citations: 198
Assurance of corporate social responsibility reports: does it reduce decoupling practices? IM García‐Sánchez, N Hussain, C Aibar‐Guzmán, B Aibar‐Guzmán Business Ethics, the Environment & Responsibility 31 (1), 118-138 , 2022 2022 Citations: 181
M anagerial entrenchment, corporate social responsibility, and earnings management IM García‐Sánchez, N Hussain, SA Khan, J Martínez‐Ferrero Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management 27 (4), 1818-1833 , 2020 2020 Citations: 163
How social imbalance and governance quality shape policy directives for energy transition in the OECD countries? A Sinha, S Bekiros, N Hussain, DK Nguyen, SA Khan Energy Economics 120, 106642 , 2023 2023 Citations: 153
Financial development, resource richness, eco-innovation, and sustainable development: Does geopolitical risk matter? M Ahmad, Z Ahmed, R Alvarado, N Hussain, SA Khan Journal of Environmental Management 351, 119824 , 2024 2024 Citations: 150
Green financing of renewable energy generation: Capturing the role of exogenous moderation for ensuring sustainable development A Sinha, V Ghosh, N Hussain, DK Nguyen, N Das Energy economics 126, 107021 , 2023 2023 Citations: 150
Socio‐emotional wealth and corporate responses to environmental hostility: Are family firms more stakeholder oriented? IM García‐Sánchez, J Martín‐Moreno, SA Khan, N Hussain Business Strategy and the Environment , 2020 2020 Citations: 147
Perceived learning outcomes from Moodle: An empirical study of intrinsic and extrinsic motivating factors M Waheed, K Kaur, NU Ain, N Hussain Information Development 32 (4), 1001-1013 , 2016 2016 Citations: 140
Global perspectives on environmental kuznets curve: A bibliometric review MA Anwar, Q Zhang, F Asmi, N Hussain, A Plantinga, MW Zafar, A Sinha Gondwana Research 103, 135-145 , 2022 2022 Citations: 137
Walking the talk? A corporate governance perspective on corporate social responsibility decoupling A Ali Gull, N Hussain, S Akbar Khan, M Nadeem, A Mansour Zalata British Journal of Management 34 (4), 2186-2211 , 2023 2023 Citations: 128
An empirical analysis of the complementarities and substitutions between effects of CEO ability and corporate governance on socially responsible performance IM García-Sánchez, N Hussain, J Martínez-Ferrero Journal of Cleaner Production 215, 1288-1300 , 2019 2019 Citations: 126
