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The study examined corporate governance and corporate sustainability impact on the performance of South African listed companies. Data retrieved from 30 companies for the period 2010-2020 was analysed using panel fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS) and dynamic ordinary least square (DOLS) methods. Dependent variables were grouped into the Accounting-based approach and the Market-based approach. Explanatory variables were also grouped into Corporate Governance and Accounting ratios. Findings revealed a strong relationship between corporate governance and company performance. This was substantiated by the result from Board gender diversity, which revealed both positive and negative relationships that were significant under both approaches. Directors’ remuneration revealed a positive but insignificant relationship under both approaches, while Board size revealed a negative relationship under both approaches. Further findings also revealed a strong relationship between corporate sustainability performance and company performance. This was established by the results from the ESG and ROA and ROE, which revealed negative but significant relationships under the first approach and became positive and significant under the second approach. Lastly, a strong relationship between corporate governance and corporate sustainability performance was revealed as shown between ESP and directors’ remuneration and a negative but significant relationship with board size and gender diversity. A cross-country based investigation to ascertain whether the same results can be achieved should be carried out.

This study investigates how corporate governance (CG) principles affect the financial performance of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN), South Africa, using stewardship theory. Corporate governance (CG) encompasses the regulations, procedures, and mechanisms Overseeing the administration and implementation of a business. Efficient corporate governance (CG) is crucial for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to function with maximum effectiveness and optimise entrepreneurial value. The study seeks to fill this vacuum in information by investigating the impact of using stewardship theory, which prioritises the long-term interests of stakeholders, on the financial performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in KZN.A quantitative approach was employed and a cross-sectional design was employed to survey 217 SMEs in the Durban South area. Descriptive statistics reveal a diversified KZN SME environment, with a predominance of medium-sized businesses, balanced gender representation, and a variety of business ages and educational backgrounds among owners and managers. Inferential statistics show significant correlations between CG principles and financial success metrics of SMEs, particularly affecting returns on invested capital and assets, net profit, asset value, and sales turnover. The results are consistent with earlier studies on the beneficial effects of CG on SME performance. The study is limited to SMEs in the Durban South area and may not be generalizable to other regions. Future research might compare studies across different areas and examine the long-term effects of CG on SMEs to identify optimum practices. The study recommends prioritizing efficient CG procedures tailored to SME needs. It suggests developing business management competencies and advocating for supporting legislation to enhance SME performance.

This study examines how soft skills enhance the audit committee effectiveness in South African municipalities. The paper adopts the positivist paradigm and a quantitative technique. Surveys were conducted using questionnaires, and data was collected from 87 participants using purposive sampling. Data were analysed using the exploratory factor analysis with the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin Measure of Sampling Adequacy (KMO) value of 0.716 level and descriptive statistics which indicates that the audit committee's soft skills demonstrate commitment to understanding the operations. The paper’s finding is connected to audit committees in charge of the public sector.  The paper highlights the need for improved audit committee soft skills for good judgement, objectivity and honesty, a high level of ethics, strong communication skills, and freedom from undue influence or intimidation. Further research is needed to examine the role of soft skills on auditors and management in South African municipalities. The Study recommends enhancing audit committee effectiveness in South African municipalities through structured soft skills training and mandatory governance reforms. This includes training programs on leadership and stakeholder engagement, soft skills assessments in audit committee selection, and professional certifications for audit committees. This study addresses a significant gap in the literature by specifically focusing on audit committee soft skills.

The conception of corporate governance practices remains a challenge across state entities in developing countries including South Africa. Corporate governance principles such as accountability, responsibility, reliability, ethical standards are core elements of effective and quality performance that spurs quality delivery of primary services. Positivism strategy aided by quantitative primary data was applied. Empirical data was collected through the administration of questionnaires to geographically dispersed 106 participants who were randomly and purposively selected. The authors used a structured questionnaires aided by quantitatively analyses through the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0. Key findings on this paper revealed that all the corporate governance principles contribute to entity’s performance. However, “fairness” largely contributes more to the level of performance. The study recommends policy makers and consultants need to embark on awareness campaigns through educational programmes.   

The conception of corporate governance practices remains a challenge across state entities in developing countries including South Africa. Corporate governance principles such as accountability, responsibility, reliability, ethical standards are core elements of effective and quality performance that spurs quality delivery of primary services. Positivism strategy aided by quantitative primary data was applied. Empirical data was collected through the administration of questionnaires to geographically dispersed 106 participants who were randomly and purposively selected. The authors used a structured questionnaires aided by quantitatively analyses through the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25.0. Key findings on this paper revealed that all the corporate governance principles contribute to entity’s performance. However, “fairness” largely contributes more to the level of performance. The study recommends policy makers and consultants need to embark on awareness campaigns through educational programmes.   

This study examines how soft skills enhance the audit committee effectiveness in South African municipalities. The paper adopts the positivist paradigm and a quantitative technique. Surveys were conducted using questionnaires, and data was collected from 87 participants using purposive sampling. Data were analysed using the exploratory factor analysis with the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin Measure of Sampling Adequacy (KMO) value of 0.716 level and descriptive statistics which indicates that the audit committee's soft skills demonstrate commitment to understanding the operations. The paper’s finding is connected to audit committees in charge of the public sector.  The paper highlights the need for improved audit committee soft skills for good judgement, objectivity and honesty, a high level of ethics, strong communication skills, and freedom from undue influence or intimidation. Further research is needed to examine the role of soft skills on auditors and management in South African municipalities. The Study recommends enhancing audit committee effectiveness in South African municipalities through structured soft skills training and mandatory governance reforms. This includes training programs on leadership and stakeholder engagement, soft skills assessments in audit committee selection, and professional certifications for audit committees. This study addresses a significant gap in the literature by specifically focusing on audit committee soft skills.

This study investigates how corporate governance (CG) principles affect the financial performance of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN), South Africa, using stewardship theory. Corporate governance (CG) encompasses the regulations, procedures, and mechanisms Overseeing the administration and implementation of a business. Efficient corporate governance (CG) is crucial for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to function with maximum effectiveness and optimise entrepreneurial value. The study seeks to fill this vacuum in information by investigating the impact of using stewardship theory, which prioritises the long-term interests of stakeholders, on the financial performance of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in KZN.A quantitative approach was employed and a cross-sectional design was employed to survey 217 SMEs in the Durban South area. Descriptive statistics reveal a diversified KZN SME environment, with a predominance of medium-sized businesses, balanced gender representation, and a variety of business ages and educational backgrounds among owners and managers. Inferential statistics show significant correlations between CG principles and financial success metrics of SMEs, particularly affecting returns on invested capital and assets, net profit, asset value, and sales turnover. The results are consistent with earlier studies on the beneficial effects of CG on SME performance. The study is limited to SMEs in the Durban South area and may not be generalizable to other regions. Future research might compare studies across different areas and examine the long-term effects of CG on SMEs to identify optimum practices. The study recommends prioritizing efficient CG procedures tailored to SME needs. It suggests developing business management competencies and advocating for supporting legislation to enhance SME performance.

The study examined corporate governance and corporate sustainability impact on the performance of South African listed companies. Data retrieved from 30 companies for the period 2010-2020 was analysed using panel fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS) and dynamic ordinary least square (DOLS) methods. Dependent variables were grouped into the Accounting-based approach and the Market-based approach. Explanatory variables were also grouped into Corporate Governance and Accounting ratios. Findings revealed a strong relationship between corporate governance and company performance. This was substantiated by the result from Board gender diversity, which revealed both positive and negative relationships that were significant under both approaches. Directors’ remuneration revealed a positive but insignificant relationship under both approaches, while Board size revealed a negative relationship under both approaches. Further findings also revealed a strong relationship between corporate sustainability performance and company performance. This was established by the results from the ESG and ROA and ROE, which revealed negative but significant relationships under the first approach and became positive and significant under the second approach. Lastly, a strong relationship between corporate governance and corporate sustainability performance was revealed as shown between ESP and directors’ remuneration and a negative but significant relationship with board size and gender diversity. A cross-country based investigation to ascertain whether the same results can be achieved should be carried out.