Ownership structure and SDGs disclosure in the context of European sustainability reporting

Abstract

Corporate ownership structures significantly influence sustainable development transparency, yet how different ownership types impact SDG disclosures remains underexplored in sustainability research. This study investigates the impact of ownership structure on sustainable development goal (SDG) disclosures in publicly traded European firms from 2019 to 2023. Grounded in stakeholder, agency, and legitimacy theories, the research employs fixed-effects regression models and the two-step system Generalised Method of Moments (GMM) estimator to address endogeneity concerns. The findings reveal a significant negative relationship between institutional ownership and SDG disclosures, highlighting the conflict between short-term financial pressures and long-term sustainability goals. Foreign ownership positively influences SDG disclosures, underlining its role in driving transparency and aligning firms with global sustainability standards. Conversely, government ownership exhibits no significant effect, reflecting governance inefficiencies and conflicting priorities within state-owned enterprises. By presenting comprehensive empirical evidence, this study advances the literature on ownership structure and sustainability practices, offering actionable insights for policymakers, investors, and governance professionals striving to enhance corporate transparency and alignment with the SDGs.