This research examines how CEO personality influences environmental decoupling, where companies misalign environmental claims and actions. Using the Big Five framework and machine learning on CEO communications, it identifies traits linked to such behavior. Findings aim to improve corporate governance by helping stakeholders select leaders committed to genuine sustainability.

This research develops a model to identify unreliable or manipulated environmental, social, and governance (ESG) claims made by South African companies. Using prior studies and a large ESG database, the model detects authenticity, flags potential manipulation, and cross-checks with known scandals. The goal is to measure genuine ESG commitment and protect stakeholders from misleading sustainability reporting.