1. The implications of gender diversity on corporate social
responsibility disclosure and assurance
By:
Stanislav Idowu
Department of Accounting
Submitted to the Department of Accounting, Economics and Finance of Deakin University
for the partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree:
Bachelor of Commerce (Honours)
Dr. Dessalegn Mihret, Dept. of Accounting, Honours Supervisor
Prof George Tanewski, Dept. of Accounting, Accounting Honours Coordinator
16th October 2015

2. DEAKIN UNIVERSITY
CANDIDATE DECLARATION
I certifythe following aboutthe thesisentitled:The implicationsof genderdiversityon
corporate social responsibilitydisclosureandassurance submittedforthe degree of
Bachelorof Commerce (Honours)
a. I am the creator of all or part of the whole work(s) (includingcontent andlayout)
and that where reference ismade tothe workof others,due acknowledgmentis
given.
b. The work(s) are not inany waya violationorinfringementof anycopyright,
trademark,patent,orotherrightswhatsoeverof anyperson.
c. That if the work(s) have beencommissioned,sponsoredorsupportedbyany
organisation,Ihave fulfilledall of the obligationsrequiredbysuchcontract or
agreement.
d. That any material inthe thesiswhichhasbeenacceptedforadegree ordiplomaby
any universityorinstitutionisidentifiedinthe text.
e. All researchintegrityrequirementshave beencompliedwith.
'I certify that I am the student named below and that the information provided in the form is correct'
Full Name: Stanislav Babatunde Idowu
Signed: stasidowu
Date: 16th
October 2015

3. Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to empirically evaluate corporate social responsibility (CSR)
disclosure, assurance, and level of assurance performance in the United States (U.S) in
relation to gender-related characteristics amongst corporate governance boards. Recent
studies have found the level of CSR disclosures is positively associated with the number of
females on the board of directors (Rao and Tilt, 2015; Arun et al., 2015). However,
empirical evidence reviewing gender within subsections of corporate governance and
measurements of voluntary assurance is relatively limited. This article employs the agency
and gender theory framework to further expand upon gender implications influencing
earnings management and CSR (Sun et al., 2010; Thiruvadi and Huang, 2011). The study
analyses Fortune 500 data, consisting of the largest 500 U.S companies. By analysing cross-
sectional data using binary logistic and Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression, results
for the study indicate female directors positively influence disclosures yet male directors
disclose information to a lesser extent. Furthermore, when firms seek to assure such reports,
female directors tend to not differentiate between accounting and consulting firms whilst
males are more inclined to choose consulting firms.
Contradictive of prior studies, accounting firms are more associated with “reasonable” level
of assurance compared to consulting firms. Specifically, females tend to have more limited
assurance reports than males. Despite such findings, assurance levels can be purposefully
selected by organisations thus making measuring “quality” impracticable. There appears to
be male dominating characteristics which continues to negatively influence females, as their
suggestions are relatively insignificant when deliberating positive diverse opinions from the
audit committees to board of directors. These results have implications for large companies
that are considering seeking disclosing and assuring their CSR information. Also, investors
should consider the credibility of company voluntary reports and focus attention on
disclosed information rather than the actual level of assurance. Future research should
continue to focus attention on creating adequate measures of CSR quality; to evaluate
sociological and accounting paradigms that effect implications through diversity.