When sustainability speaks louder: the role of ESG in mitigating the impact of manager personality traits on earnings management in credit cooperatives

Autores

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21680/2176-9036.2025v17n2ID40770

Palavras-chave:

Earnings management; Personality traits; Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance; Cooperativism.

Resumo

Purpose: To analyze the moderating effect of ESG practices on the relationship between manager personality traits and earnings management practices in credit cooperatives.

Methodology: The study involved 83 credit cooperative managers with data collected through an online survey. Descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression techniques were applied for analysis using Stata® software.

Results: The findings indicate that manager personality traits significantly influence the adoption of earnings management practices. However, the implementation of ESG practices demonstrated a positive moderating effect, discouraging managers with Dark Triad traits (Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy) from engaging in opportunistic behaviors.

Contributions of the Study: This study contributes to the literature by integrating behavioral and organizational aspects, highlighting how psychological traits influence opportunistic practices and how ESG practices can mitigate these effects. From a practical perspective, the results suggest that credit cooperatives can reduce manipulative practices by adopting robust ESG policies. Additionally, incorporating personality trait analysis into the recruitment and selection process can help identify candidates aligned with organizational values and less prone to earnings manipulation. This can enhance transparency, strengthen corporate governance, and build stakeholder trust.

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Biografia do Autor

Renata Pesente, Community University of the Chapecó Region (UNOCHAPECÓ).

Master's student in Accounting and Business Administration at the Community University of the Chapecó Region (UNOCHAPECÓ).

Kachirí Vitória Noara Farias, Community University of the Chapecó Region (UNOCHAPECÓ).

Master's student in Accounting and Business Administration at the Community University of the Chapecó Region (UNOCHAPECÓ).

Cristian Baú Dal Magro, Community University of the Chapecó Region (UNOCHAPECÓ).

PhD in Accounting and Business Administration from the Regional University of Blumenau (FURB). Full Professor at the Community University of the Chapecó Region (UNOCHAPECÓ).

Larissa de Lima Trindade, Federal University of the Southern Border (UFFS).

PhD in Human Sciences from the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC). Associate Professor at the Federal University of the Southern Border (UFFS).

Mauricio Leite, Community University of the Chapecó Region (UNOCHAPECÓ).

PhD in Accounting and Business Administration from the Regional University of Blumenau (FURB). Full Professor at the Community University of the Chapecó Region (UNOCHAPECÓ).

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Publicado

03-07-2025

Como Citar

Pesente, R. ., Farias, K. V. N., Magro, C. B. D. ., Trindade, L. de L. ., & Leite, M. . (2025). When sustainability speaks louder: the role of ESG in mitigating the impact of manager personality traits on earnings management in credit cooperatives . REVISTA AMBIENTE CONTÁBIL - Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Norte - ISSN 2176-9036, 17(2). https://doi.org/10.21680/2176-9036.2025v17n2ID40770

Edição

Seção

Seção 7: Internacional (S7)