Effect of environmental, social and governance performance on the financial reporting lag of Saudi listed companies

Abstract The empirical literature has documented evidence concerning the relationship between financial performance and financial reporting lag. Currently, rating agencies and other stakeholders are paying considerable attention to the impact of business organizations on sustainable practices for pe...

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Main Author: Hamid Ghazi H Sulimany
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer Nature 2025-08-01
Series:Humanities & Social Sciences Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-05709-8
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author Hamid Ghazi H Sulimany
author_facet Hamid Ghazi H Sulimany
author_sort Hamid Ghazi H Sulimany
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The empirical literature has documented evidence concerning the relationship between financial performance and financial reporting lag. Currently, rating agencies and other stakeholders are paying considerable attention to the impact of business organizations on sustainable practices for performance assessment. However, less attention has been paid to the impact of nonfinancial performance on financial reporting lag. Therefore, the main objective of this research is to explore the influence of environmental, social and governance performance (ESG) on firms’ financial reporting lag. A total of 126 firms in the Saudi stock market from 2015 to 2023 were sampled. The data generated were analyzed using pooled OLS and fixed effects analytical techniques. It was found that Saudi firms’ financial reporting lag may decrease as their ESG performance increases, supporting stakeholder and signaling theories. The findings remain consistent when several econometric models and specifications are used. The outcomes imply that ESG performance is a crucial determinant of financial reporting quality. These findings may be beneficial for regulators, auditors and managers. Specifically, they may encourage auditors and regulators to focus on ESG reporting when discharging their oversight duties to increase accountability and raise investor confidence. Additionally, they may stimulate firms to enhance their ESG initiatives for the timely disclosure of financial statements, thus enhancing managerial efficiency.
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spelling doaj-art-e39d86ef0474401380b4441d39eee3df2025-08-20T03:44:04ZengSpringer NatureHumanities & Social Sciences Communications2662-99922025-08-011211810.1057/s41599-025-05709-8Effect of environmental, social and governance performance on the financial reporting lag of Saudi listed companiesHamid Ghazi H Sulimany0Accounting Department, Business Administration College, Taif UniversityAbstract The empirical literature has documented evidence concerning the relationship between financial performance and financial reporting lag. Currently, rating agencies and other stakeholders are paying considerable attention to the impact of business organizations on sustainable practices for performance assessment. However, less attention has been paid to the impact of nonfinancial performance on financial reporting lag. Therefore, the main objective of this research is to explore the influence of environmental, social and governance performance (ESG) on firms’ financial reporting lag. A total of 126 firms in the Saudi stock market from 2015 to 2023 were sampled. The data generated were analyzed using pooled OLS and fixed effects analytical techniques. It was found that Saudi firms’ financial reporting lag may decrease as their ESG performance increases, supporting stakeholder and signaling theories. The findings remain consistent when several econometric models and specifications are used. The outcomes imply that ESG performance is a crucial determinant of financial reporting quality. These findings may be beneficial for regulators, auditors and managers. Specifically, they may encourage auditors and regulators to focus on ESG reporting when discharging their oversight duties to increase accountability and raise investor confidence. Additionally, they may stimulate firms to enhance their ESG initiatives for the timely disclosure of financial statements, thus enhancing managerial efficiency.https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-05709-8
spellingShingle Hamid Ghazi H Sulimany
Effect of environmental, social and governance performance on the financial reporting lag of Saudi listed companies
Humanities & Social Sciences Communications
title Effect of environmental, social and governance performance on the financial reporting lag of Saudi listed companies
title_full Effect of environmental, social and governance performance on the financial reporting lag of Saudi listed companies
title_fullStr Effect of environmental, social and governance performance on the financial reporting lag of Saudi listed companies
title_full_unstemmed Effect of environmental, social and governance performance on the financial reporting lag of Saudi listed companies
title_short Effect of environmental, social and governance performance on the financial reporting lag of Saudi listed companies
title_sort effect of environmental social and governance performance on the financial reporting lag of saudi listed companies
url https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-025-05709-8
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