The Future of Corporate Governance: A Conceptual Evaluation from the Perspective of Sustainability and ESG

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63556/tisej.2026.1699

Keywords:

Corporate Governance, Sustainability, Environment, Social, Governance

Abstract

The growing environmental crises, social inequalities, and demands for corporate transparency on a global scale have shifted traditional governance into a new perspective. This study conceptually examines corporate governance within the framework of sustainability and ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) dimensions and discusses the future orientations of this integration. Although these concepts have often been studied separately in the literature, limited attention has been given to integrating them with theoretical foundations and evaluating them within a forward-looking vision. The research was designed as a qualitative review, systematically analyzing national and international reports, regulations, and academic literature. In this context, sustainability was addressed through its economic, environmental, and social dimensions; corporate risk management, social responsibility, and long-term value creation were analyzed within the framework of the Brundtland Report and the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Furthermore, the relationship between ESG and corporate governance was discussed, focusing on how reporting standards and performance criteria influence investor decisions, corporate reputation, competitive advantage, and financial outcomes. The findings reveal that sustainability and ESG have become a new standard for corporate governance today. The originality of this study lies in its treatment of corporate governance not only as a current transformation but also as a dynamic paradigm that will integrate with ethical values, digitalization, and innovation-oriented trends in the future. In this respect, the study makes a conceptual contribution to the literature and serves as a strategic roadmap for businesses and policymakers.

References

Aboud, A., & Diab, A. (2018). The Impact of Social, Environmental and Corporate Governance Disclosures on Firm Value. Journal of Accounting in Emerging Economies, 8(4), 442-458. https://doi.org/10.1108/JAEE-08-2017-0079

Aguilera, R. V., & Ruiz Castillo, M. (2025). Toward an Updated Corporate Governance Framework: Fundamentals, Disruptions, and Future Research. BRQ Business Research Quarterly, 28(2), 336-348. https://doi.org/10.1177/23409444251320399

Alp, A. ve Kılıç, S. (2014). Kurumsal Yönetim Nasıl Yönetilmeli. İstanbul: Doğan Kitap.

Annesi, N., Battaglia, M., Ceglia, I., & Mercuri, F. (2024). Navigating Paradoxes: Building a Sustainable Strategy For an Integrated ESG Corporate Governance. Management Decision 63 (2), 531-559. https://doi.org/10.1108/MD-10-2023-2006

Aras, G., Tezcan, N., & Furtuna, O. K. (2018). Evaluation of Turkish Banking Industry Based on Multi-Dimensional Corporate Sustainability Model: Comparison between State Owned and Private Banking. Ege Academic Review, 18(1), 47-62.

Armstrong, A. (2020). Ethics and ESG. AABFJ Australasian Accounting Business and Finance Journal, 14 (3), 6-17.

Arslan, B. ve Çetin, E. (2021). Vekâlet Teorisinde Fırsatçılık Kavramı ve Oyun Teorisi Arasındaki İlişki. Uluslararası Yönetim Akademisi Dergisi, 4(2), 439-454. https://doi.org/10.33712/mana.962926

Arslan, Z. (2022). Bankalarda Finansal Performansın Belirleyicileri: Çevresel, Sosyal ve Kurumsal Yönetim (ESG) Skorlarının Etkisi Üzerine Uluslararası Bir Araştırma. (Doktora Tezi). Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü. Isparta

Artene, A., Bunget, O.C., Dumitrescu, A.C., Domil, A.E., & Bogdan, O. (2020). Non Financial Information Disclosures and Environmental Protection- Evidence from Romania and Greece. Forests, 11(814), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.3390/f11080814

Barbosa, A. de S., Crispim, M. C., Silva, L. B. da, Morioka, S. N., & Souza, V. F. de (2023). Integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Criteria: Their Impacts on Corporate Sustainability Performance. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 10(1), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-023-01919-0

Barney, J. (1991). Firm Resources and Sustained Competitive Advantage. Journal of Management, 17(1), 99-120. https://doi.org/10.1177/014920639101700108

Bartlett, A.A. (2016). Reflections on Sustainability, Population Growth, and The Environment. Negative Population Growth, 16, 5-35.

Bătae, O. M., Dragomir, V. D., & Feleagă, L. (2020). Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) and financial performance of European banks. Accounting and Management Information Systems, 19(3), 480-501. http://dx.doi.org/10.24818/jamis.2020.03003,

Birindelli, G., Dell’Atti, S., Iannuzzi, A.P. & Savioli, M. (2018). Composition and Activity of The Board of Directors: Impact on ESG Performance in the Banking System. Sustainability Journal, 10(12), 1-20. https://doi.org/10.3390/su10124699

Blagova, I., Romanishina, T., Bobovnikova, A., Kushelev, I. Yu., & Myagkova, Y. (2024). ESG Business Transformation as a Way to Mitigate Corporate Risks. E3S Web of Conferences, 548 (01006), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202454801006

Buallay, A. (2019). Is Sustainability Reporting (ESG) Associated with Performance? Evidence from the European Banking Sector. Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, 30(1), 98-115. https://doi.org/10.1108/MEQ-12-2017-0149

Camilleri, M. A., Zhong, L., Rosenbaum, M. S., & Wirtz, J. (2024). Ethical Considerations of Service Organizations in the Information Age. SSRN Electronic Journal. 44(9-10), 634-660. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4869548

Cihan, Y. (2024). Çevresel, Sosyal ve Kurumsal Yönetim Skorları ile Kurumsal Performans Arasındaki İlişkide Entelektüel Sermayenin Aracılık Rolü: Uluslararası Bir Araştırma. (Doktora Tezi). Necmettin Erbakan Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü. Konya

Çelik, S. (2023). Kurumsal Yönetimde Yeni Dönem: Güncellenmiş G20/OECD Kurumsal Yönetim İlkeleri, İstanbul: Hümanist Ajans A.Ş.

Doğan, A. ve Yılmaz, V. (2020). D-8 Ülkelerinin Sürdürülebilir Kalkınma Amaçlarını Gerçekleştirme Düzeylerinin Tahlili. Sosyal Bilimler Araştırmaları Dergisi, 2020 Sonbahar Özel Sayı I/II, 1-9.

Doğan, S., (2024). Çevre, Sosyal ve Kurumsal Yönetim (ÇSY) Kriterleri ile Sürdürülebilir Kalkınma Hedeflerine Yönelik Açıklamaların Finansal Performansa Etkisi: Bist Sürdürülebilirlik Endeksindeki İşletmelere Yönelik Analiz. (Doktora Tezi). Anadolu Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü. Eskişehir.

Dyllick, T., & Hockerts, K. (2002). Beyond the Business Case for Corporate Sustainability. Business Strategy and the Environment, 11(2), 130-141. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.323

Epstein, M. J., & Roy, M.-J. (2001). Sustainability in Action: Identifying and Measuring the Key Performance Drivers, Long Range Planning, 34 (5), 585-604. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0024-6301(01)00084-X

Erben, Y. A. (2023). Esg Skorlarının Firma Karlılığı Üzerindeki Etkisi: Borsa İstanbul Örneği. Üçüncü Sektör Sosyal Ekonomi Dergisi, 58(3), 2686-2701. https://doi.org/10.15659/3.sektor-sosyal-ekonomi.23.09.2253

Erdoğan Tarakçı, İ. ve Göktaş, B. (2019). Pazarlamanın Yeni Rengi: Yeşil Aklama. Üçüncü Sektör Sosyal Ekonomi Dergisi, 54(3), 1095–1113. https://doi.org/10.15659/3.sektor-sosyal-ekonomi.19.07.1174

Erol, D. ve Çankaya, S. (2023). The Impacts of Firm-level and Country-level Variables on Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance Greenwashing. İstanbul Ticaret Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 22(46), 683-704. https://doi.org/10.46928/iticusbe.1200111

Escrig-Olmedo, E., Fernández-Izquierdo, M. Á., Ferrero-Ferrero, I., Rivera-Lirio, J. M., & Muñoz-Torres, M. J. (2019). Rating the Raters: Evaluating how ESG Rating Agencies Integrate Sustainability Principles. Sustainability, 11(3), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.3390/su11030915

Fombrun, C. J. (2006). Corporate Governance, Corporate Reputation Review, 8(4), 267- 271. https://doi.org/10.1057/palgrave.crr.1540254

Friede, G., Busch, T., & Bassen, A. (2015). ESG and Financial Performance: Aggregated Evidence From More Than 2000 Empirical Studies. Journal of Sustainable Finance & Investment, 5(4), 210–233. https://doi.org/10.1080/20430795.2015.1118917

Gao, S., Meng, F., Gu, Z., Liu, Z., & Farrukh, M. (2021). Mapping and Clustering Analysis on Environmental, Social and Governance Field a Bibliometric Analysis Using Scopus. Sustainability, 13 (13), 1-17. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13137304

Giddings, B., Hopwood, B., & O’Brien, G. (2002). Environment, Economy and Society: Fitting Them Together into Sustainable Development, Sustainable Development, 10(4), 187-196, https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.199

Gregory, A., Tharyan, R., & Whittaker, J. (2014). Corporate Social Responsibility and Firm Value: Disaggregating The Effects on Cash Flow, Risk and Growth. Journal of Business Ethics, 124(4), 633-657. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-013-1898-5

GRI, 2006. Erişim Adresi: https://www.globalreporting.org/about-gri/vision-mission-and-history/

Güngör Karyağdı, N., ve Şit, A. (2023). İşletmelerin Esg Performanslarının Sermaye Maliyeti ve Finansal Performansına Etkisi: Bist Sürdürebilirlik-25 Endeksi Üzerine Bir Uygulama. Bucak İşletme Fakültesi Dergisi, 6(2), 277-292. https://doi.org/10.38057/bifd.1362050

Güngör, N. ve Şeker, Y. (2022). The Relationship Between Board Characteristics and Esg Performance: Evıdence From The Oıl, Gas and Coal Sector. Stratejik ve Sosyal Araştırmalar Dergisi, 6(1), 17-37. https://doi.org/10.30692/sisad.1073684

Hajer, M., Nilsson, M., Raworth, K., Bakker, P., Berkhout, F., De Boer, Y., Rockström, J., Ludwig, K., & Kok, M. (2015). Beyond Cockpit-ism: Four Insights to Enhance the Transformative Potential of the Sustainable Development Goals. Sustainability, 7(2), 1651-1660. https://doi.org/10.3390/su7021651

Ho, L.-C. J., & Taylor, M. E. (2007). An Empirical Analysis of Triple Bottom‐Line Reporting and its Determinants: Evidence from the United States and Japan. Journal of International Financial Management and Accounting, 18(2), 123-150. https://doi.org/10.1111/J.1467-646X.2007.01010.X

Hofer, A., Kortsch, T., & Kauffeld, S. (2024). Shaping organizations sustainably: Insights and perspectives. Gruppe Interaktion Organisation Zeitschrift Für Angewandte Organisationspsychologie (GIO), 55(2), 115-125. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11612-024-00739-3

Hoverstadt, P., & Bowling, D. (2005). Organizational viability as a factor in sustainable development of technology. International Journal of Technology Management and Sustainable Development, 4(2), 131-146. https://doi.org/10.1386/ijtm.4.2.131/1

Hristov, I., Chirico, A., & Ranalli, F. (2021). Corporate Strategies Oriented Towards Sustainable Governance: Advantages, Managerial Practices and Main Challenges. Journal of Management & Governance, 26(1), 75-97. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10997-021-09581-x

Huang, D. Z. (2021). Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Activity and Firm Performance: A Review and Consolidation. Accounting & Finance, 61(1), 335-360. https://doi.org/10.1111/acfi.12569

Husnaını, W., & Basuki, B. (2020). Asean corporate governance scorecard: sustainability reporting and firm value. The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business, 7(11), 315-326. https://doi.org/10.13106/jafeb.2020.vol7.no11.315

Kardeş Selimoğlu, S. ve Yazıcı, R. (2021). Türkiye’de Kurumsal Yönetişim ve Sürdürülebilirlik. Muhasebe ve Finansman Dergisi, Özel Sayı, 113-136. https://doi.org/10.25095/mufad.982425

Khan, H. U. Z. (2010). The Effect of Corporate Governance Elements on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Reporting: Empirical Evidence from Private Commercial Banks of Bangladesh. International Journal of Law and Management, 52(2), 82-109. https://doi.org/10.1108/17542431011029406

Korkmaz, T., & Nur, T. (2023). The Effect of ESG Sustainability on Firm Performance: A View under Size and Age on BIST Bank Index Firms. Ekonomi Politika ve Finans Araştırmaları Dergisi, 8(2), 208-223. https://doi.org/10.30784/epfad.1278491

Korwatanasakul, U. (2020). Environmental, Social, and Governance Investment: Concepts, Prospects and The Policy Landscape. Japan: Asian Development Bank Institute.

Kulalı, G. (2022). Çevresel, Sosyal ve Kurumsal Yönetim (ESG) Performansının Piyasa Değeri Üzerindeki Etkisi: Firma Büyüklüğünün Rolü. Eskişehir Osmangazi Üniversitesi İktisadi ve İdari Bilimler Dergisi, 17(3), 787-809. https://doi.org/10.17153/oguiibf.1098419

Kuşat, N. (2012). Sürdürülebilir İşletmeler İçin Kurumsal Sürdürülebilirlik ve İçsel Unsurları. Afyon Kocatepe Üniversitesi İİBF Dergisi, 14(2), 227-242.

Mehar, M.A. (2020). The Ineffectiveness of Environmental, Social, and Governance Policies and Incentives: The Impact of The Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus on Central Asian and South Asian Countries. Japan: Asian Development Bank Institute.

Mishra, M. K. (2023). The Emerging Role of Corporate Governance on Environmental Sustainability. SSRN Electronic Journal, 4656662, 1-18. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4656662

Mohammad, W. M. W., & Wasiuzzaman, S. (2021). Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Disclosure, Competitive Advantage and Performance of Firms in Malaysia. Cleaner Environmental Systems, 2, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cesys.2021.100015

Nasdaq, 2019, Erişim Adresi: https://www.nasdaq.com/docs/2019/11/26/2019-ESG-Reporting-Guide.pdf

Nichitaa, E.M., Nechitaa, E., Maneaa, C.L., Maneaa, D., & Irimescu, A.M. (2020). Reporting on sustainable development goals. A score-based approach with company-level evidence from central-eastern Europe economies. Accounting and Management Information Systems, 19(3), 502-542, http://dx.doi.org/10.24818/jamis.2020.03004

Niu, S., Park, B. I., & Jung, J. S. (2022). The Effects of Digital Leadership and ESG Management on Organizational Innovation and Sustainability. Sustainability, 14(23), 1-20. https://doi.org/10.3390/su142315639

Nugroho, D. P. D., Hsu, Y., Hartauer, C., & Hartauer, A. (2024). Investigating the Interconnection between Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG), and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Strategies: An Examination of the Influence on Consumer Behavior. Sustainability, 16(2), 1-22. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16020614

OECD (2023), G20/OECD Principles of Corporate Governance 2023, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/ed750b30-en.

Panko, M., & Glova, J. (2024). Global Trends and Slovak Republic Focus on Environmental, Social and Governance Research. TEM Journal, 13 (4), 2863-2874. https://doi.org/10.18421/tem134-22

Parris, T., & Kates, R. (2003). Characterizing and Measuring Sustainable Development. Annual Review Of Environment and Resources, 28(1), 559-586. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.energy.28.050302.105551

PWC (2021). Global Investor ESG Survey: The Economic Realities of ESG. Erişim Adresi: https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/services/audit-assurance/corporate-reporting/2021-esg-investor-survey.html?utm_source

Qing, C., & Jin, S. (2023). Does ESG and Digital Transformation Affects Corporate Sustainability? The Moderating Role of Green Innovation. arXiv Cornell University. 1-24. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2311.18351

Raimo, N., Caragnano, A., Zito, M., Vitolla, F., & Mariani, M. (2021). Extending the Benefits of ESG Disclosure: The Effect on the Cost of Debt Financing. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 28(4), 1412-1421. https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.2134

Ricart, J. E., & Rey, C. (2022). Purpose in Corporate Governance: The Path Towards a More Sustainable World. Sustainability, 14(8), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14084384

Salvioni, D. M. & Bosetti, L. (2006). Corporate Governance Report and Stakeholder View. Emerging Issues in Management, 1, 24-46. https://doi.org/10.4468/2006.1.03salvioni.bosetti

Sarıkaya, M. ve Kara, F.Z. (2007). Sürdürülebilir kalkınmada işletmenin rolü: Kurumsal vatandaşlık, Dergi Park Akademik, 14(2), 221-233.

Sklavos, G., Theodossiou, G., Papanikolaou, Z., Karelakis, C., & Ragazou, K. (2024). Environmental, Social, and Governance-Based Artificial Intelligence Governance: Digitalizing Firms’ Leadership and Human Resources Management. Sustainability, 16(16), 1-20. https://doi.org/10.3390/su16167154

Solomon, J., & Solomon, A. (2004). Corporate Governance and Accountability. New York: John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Syed, A. M. (2017). Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) Criteria and Preference of Managers. Cogent Business & Management, 4(1), 1-13, https://doi.org/10.1080/23311975.2017.1340820

Şeker, Y., & Şengür, E. (2022). Çevresel, Sosyal ve Kurumsal Yönetim (ESG) Performansı: Uluslararası Bir Araştırma. Journal of Accounting and Taxation Studies, 15(2), 349-387. https://doi.org/10.29067/muvu.1066216

Şen, H., Kaya, A. ve Alpaslan, B. (2018). Sürdürülebilirlik Üzerine Tarihsel ve Güncel Bir Perspektif, Ekonomik Yaklaşım, 29(107), 1–47. https://doi.org/10.5455/ey.39101.

TKYD. (2023). Cumhuriyetin 100. Yılında Kurumsal Yönetimin 20. Yılı. İstanbul: Hümanist Ajan A.Ş

Treepongkaruna, S., Kyaw, K., & Jiraporn, P. (2024). ESG Controversies and Corporate Governance: Evidence From Board Size. Business Strategy and the Environment, 33(5). 4218-4232. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.3697

UN, 2004, Who Cares Wins : Connecting Financial Markets to a Changing World (English). Washington, D.C.: World Bank Group. Erişim Adresi: http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/280911488968799581

Ülgen, H. ve Mirze, K.S. (2004). İşletmelerde Stratejik Yönetim, Literatür Yayıncılık, İstanbul.

Vărzaru, A. A., Bocean, C. G., & Nicolescu, M. M. (2021). Rethinking Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability in Light of Economic Performance. Sustainability, 13(5), 2660. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13052660

Yoshino, N., Taghizadeh-Hesary, F. & Otsuka, M. (2020). Optimal Portfolio Selection for Environmental, Social, and Governance Investment. Asian Development Bank Institute. Erişim Tarihi: Chrome extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/publication/610771/adbi-environmental-social-governance-investment-opportunities-risks-asia.pdf

Yükçü, S. ve Kaplanoğlu, E. (2016). Sürdürülebilir Kalkınmada Finansal Olmayan Raporlamanın Önemi. Muhasebe Bilim Dünyası Dergisi, 18(1), 63-101.

Zhao, C., Guo, Y., Yuan, J., Wu, M., Li, D., Zhou, Y. & Kang, J. (2018). ESG and corporate financial performance: empirical evidence from China’s listed power generation companies. Sustainability Journal, 10(8), 1-18 https://doi.org/10.3390/su10082607

Zink, K.J., Steimle, U. & Fischer, K. (2008). Human Factors, Business Excellence and Corporate Sustainability: Differing Perspectives, Joint Objectives. Corporate Sustainability as a Challenge for Comprehensive Management, 3-18, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7908-2046-1_1

Published

20.03.2026

How to Cite

BURAK, E. (2026). The Future of Corporate Governance: A Conceptual Evaluation from the Perspective of Sustainability and ESG. Third Sector Social Economic Review, 61(1), 31–49. https://doi.org/10.63556/tisej.2026.1699

Issue

Section

Review Articles

Similar Articles

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.