The Relationship between Sustainability Assurance Tenure and Sustainability Assurance Quality: Evidence from Companies Listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand
Keywords:
Sustainability Assurance, Sustainability Assurance Tenure, Sustainability Assurance Quality, ESG, Listed Companies, Stock Exchange of ThailandAbstract
Sustainability assurance plays an important role in enhancing the credibility of corporate sustainability disclosures. However, empirical evidence on the determinants of sustainability assurance quality (SAQ) remains limited, particularly in emerging markets. This study aimed to examine the relationship between sustainability assurance tenure (SA_Tenure) and sustainability assurance quality among companies listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand. The sample consisted of 231 firm-year observations from companies that issued sustainability reports and obtained third-party assurance during the period of 2019–2024. Data were analyzed using a multiple regression model with industry and year fixed effects. SAQ was measured using a content analysis index based on prior literature. The results indicated that sustainability assurance provider tenure was positively associated with sustainability assurance quality; however, the relationship was not statistically significant (B = 0.109, p = 0.101). Firm size was found to have a significant positive relationship with SAQ (B = 1.165, p < 0.01). In contrast, assurance provided by Big 4 firms showed a significant negative association with SAQ (B = –2.381, p < 0.01). Meanwhile, financial performance (ROA) and reporting lag (Audit_Lag) were not significantly related to sustainability assurance quality.
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