The impact of governance on the competing accountability pressures in firms : sustainability versus financial goals

The purpose of this paper is to examine conflicting institutional demands on firms. While in the past firms were solely oriented towards the shareholders, today the firm has to pay attention to all stakeholders. Firms evolve from solely a profit focus to a more global focus with ESG goals. Specifically, this PhD has as a purpose to examine the competing accountability pressures ESG and profitability logics exerted on firms, how firms and especially boards respond to such pressures, and what drove these responses.