Board of director attributes and CSR engagement in emerging economy firms: Evidence from across Asia

This study investigates the relationship between the board of director attributes and corporate social responsibility (CSR) engagement across a sample of Asian emerging economy firms. We find a statistically positive relationship between CSR engagement and several directors' attributes including their political influence, international experience, business expertise, other directorships held and independence from management. These empirical results indicate that while corporate governance recommendations designed for developed economy firms are relevant for emerging economy firms, additional director attributes are also important in encouraging CSR engagement in emerging economy firms given the divergent institutional and resource dependency issues they face. •Board of director attributes and CSR engagement;•Asian emerging economy firms;•Signifincant influence of directors' attributes on CSR engagement;•political influence, international experience, business expertise, interlocking directorships and independence of board members;•Resource dependence, institutional and agency theory.