Is CEO power linked to corporate social responsibility disclosure? Evidence from an emerging economy

Abstract The research aims to analyze the influence of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) power factors on corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure by listed companies on the Vietnamese stock market. To examine the relationship between CEO power and CSR disclosure (CSRD), our study used the generalized method of moments (GMM) estimation method with panel data from 210 listed companies on the Vietnamese stock market during the period 2015–2022. The research results indicate that factors such as duality, tenure, share ownership, and CEO compensation reduce the level of CSR disclosure by companies. On the other hand, CEO education and age show a positive relationship with disclosure level. The empirical results of this study provide a solid foundation for managers to establish effective corporate governance mechanisms and enhance the quality of sustainable reporting by companies.