The influence of social network sentiment on stock market indices and companies has been proven in several studies. However, the influence of social network sentiment on sustainability indices and sustainable companies has not been analyzed so far. Therefore, this study analyzed the influence of social network sentiment on sustainability indices (S&P 500 Environmental & Socially Responsible Index) and focused on variations of this influence on sustainable and non-sustainable companies, namely, in companies included in the Information Technology sector. To this end, two methodologies were used: GARCH (1,1) models and logit-probit models. The results showed that social network sentiment influences S&P 500 Environmental & Socially Responsible Index’s volatility; this influence was greater than the influence of social network sentiment when considering the S&P 500 Index. Additionally, the results showed that social network sentiment influences sustainable companies’ returns but had no effect on unsustainable companies’ returns. These results highlighted the importance of managing the companies’ profiles in social networks and their corporate image in general, because investors will consider these aspects to design their investment strategies.

Companies play an important role in sustainable development. While many companies have incorporated ESG initiatives into their strategies, the specific impact of these efforts on the SDGs remains unclear, especially regarding how these initiatives are prioritized or aligned within corporate strategies. Despite the common relationship between ESG practices and sustainability, limited research has investigated how ESG strategies contribute to the SDGs. This paper aims to assess the ethical commitment of organizational practices, analysing how the combination of five ESG-related variables (ecological impacts, access and affordability, labour practices, product design and lifecycle management, and business ethics) leads to a positive contribution to the SDGs among 137 companies belonging to EUROSTOXX and S&P500 indexes. A fsQCA analysis has been conducted, distinguishing between ESG variables with internal, external, human and non-human connotations. The findings highlight that the combination of all these variables rather than isolated ESG practices is essential to achieve the SDGs. Although differences are shown between the companies belonging to the two indexes, ethical governance, environmental issues and labour practices have emerged as the most relevant ESG variables for achieving sustainable goals. This study provides a better understanding of what and how ESG initiatives can contribute to the SDGs, helping companies and policy makers identify the ethical approaches to consider when designing strategies to advance towards sustainable performance.

The composition of corporate boards determines board governance and influences firm performance. In the current corporate environment, greater emphasis is being placed on the environmental, social and governance performance of companies. In this sense, board members serving on multiple corporate boards have emerged as relevant corporate governance mechanisms. Using the OLS model on sample data composed of companies listed on the NASDAQ-100 Index, this research aims to evaluate the effect of busy boards and the tenure of board members on ESG performance from a gender perspective. The results indicate that board networks, experience, and knowledge have a positive effect on Bloomberg’s and S&P Global ESG scores, with female directors and independent directors playing an important role. In this way, the human and social capital of corporate boards is a valuable resource for corporate governance. This research contributes to identifying the principal attributes of corporate boards that influence ESG performance.

Purpose: Investments in research and development (R&D) are crucial to gain competitive advantages and create sustainable value for companies. However, R&D initiatives are complex, risky and subject to uncertain outcomes. The objective of this study is to investigate how variables related to corporate governance can help reduce such risks by aligning innovation strategies and financial performance.Design/methodology/approach: To examine the relationship between variables related to board members' personal attributes and board characteristics and R&D-driven profitability, this research employs a generalized least squares regression model with data from 2012 to 2022, considering listed and unlisted companies included in the “EU Industrial R&D Investment Scoreboard.”Findings: The results reveal that the presence of female directors, especially when there are at least three women on the board and they hold executive roles, together with older board members, positively influences the ability of companies to translate their commitment to innovation into operating profits. In contrast, larger boards and longer tenures of directors can hinder the success of corporate innovation strategies, contributing to increased related risks. Furthermore, the effectiveness of gender quotas in promoting corporate innovation is also questioned.Originality/value: This study provides a better understanding of how innovation can boost profitability while enhancing competitive advantage. Unlike previous research that focused on external factors, this research emphasizes board composition and directors’ personal attributes as key drivers of strategic decisions and resource allocation. This research sheds light on the factors that allow R&D investments to become a sustainable profit driver, essential for companies’ long-term growth.

Objective: Corporate innovation is a crucial strategy for companies seeking sustainable growth, competitiveness and long-term value creation. However, its impact remains limited without the commitment of corporate governance decision-makers. The aim of this research is to analyze how the characteristics of boards of directors influence the ability to generate economic value through the organizations' commitment to innovation. Methodology: This research uses a GLS regression model on panel data related to the most innovative European companies from 2012 to 2022. Results: Although the results highlight the important role of female directors in improving CEO effectiveness, they also reveal the persistent challenges related to the low representation of women in senior executive positions and the complexities of nationality diversity on corporate boards. The investigation also highlights slight differences between listed and non-listed companies. Practical implications: By examining how decisions from corporate governance decision-makers translate innovation into economic value, this research contributes to a better understanding of how to design strategies aimed at creating and maintaining sustainable business value.