Univrsity Of Tehran Press Accounting and Auditing Review 2645-8020 33 2 2026 05 22 Critical Evaluation of Methodological Issues in Corporate Governance Research in Iran: Challenges and Recommendations Critical Evaluation of Methodological Issues in Corporate Governance Research in Iran: Challenges and Recommendations 360 419 107230 10.22059/acctgrev.2025.383372.1009023 FA Fakhroddin MohammadRezaei Assistant Prof., Department of Accounting, Faculty of Finance, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran. 0000-0001-9623-7317 Ashkan Gholami Fatideh Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Accounting, Faculty of Management and Accounting, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran. 0000-0002-6510-2652 Seyed Abbas Hoshmand Kashani Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Accounting, Faculty of Management and Accounting, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran. 0000-0003-2124-6950 Journal Article 2024 10 07 Objective This study investigates the methodological challenges faced in quantitative research on corporate governance in Iran. It identifies key issues, including the gap between theoretical frameworks and empirical methods, the stickiness of variables, insufficient cross-sectional variability, endogeneity concerns, complex interactions between corporate governance constructs, and the limitations of commonly used data sources. Furthermore, the study highlights the limited attention given to economic significance in existing research. It also analyzes trends related to these methodological challenges in domestic corporate governance studies over the examined period. By addressing these issues, the study aims to highlight novel research pathways and opportunities in the corporate governance field. Additionally, instrumental variable methods are briefly discussed as a commonly used approach to addressing endogeneity in corporate governance research. Methods This study employs an analytical-critical approach to identify methodological challenges in corporate governance research. Articles published in the journal Accounting and Auditing Reviews between 1992 and 2023 were reviewed. This journal was chosen for its long-standing publication history and its consistent focus on various corporate governance mechanisms. Corporate governance mechanisms analyzed in this study include both internal and external structures. Specifically, three recurring constructs—board of directors, management, and ownership—were evaluated to examine common issues and trends in methodological practices. Results The study highlights significant methodological challenges in frequently studied corporate governance constructs. Within the Board of Directors, four recurring characteristics—independence, size, financial expertise, and CEO-Chair duality—were examined. Similarly, three recurring characteristics in Management—CEO stability, managerial ownership, and compensation—and three in Ownership—institutional ownership, ownership concentration, and state ownership—were evaluated. The findings reveal that many of these criteria contribute to a gap between theory and method due to insufficient consideration of the research context. Key issues identified include variable stickiness, inadequate cross-sectional variability, neglect of interactions among corporate governance constructs, persistent endogeneity problems, limited sample sizes, and a general lack of emphasis on economic significance. These methodological challenges were found to persist in more recent publications, suggesting a trend of unresolved issues over time. Although this study did not directly evaluate indices used to measure corporate governance, a brief review indicates that these indices are also prone to similar methodological limitations. Conclusion This study identifies significant methodological challenges in corporate governance research in Iran, highlighting their potential to undermine the credibility and practical relevance of findings. Addressing foundational issues—such as the misalignment between theoretical frameworks and environmental contexts, persistent endogeneity concerns, and sampling limitations—is essential for improving the quality of this research. Overcoming these challenges can strengthen both the theoretical rigor and the practical implications, providing a more robust basis for policy-making and decision-making. Moreover, domestic research has predominantly concentrated on a narrow range of characteristics within the three primary corporate governance mechanisms, with particular emphasis on the board of directors. While the board’s critical role is undeniable, this focus has led to a neglect of other potentially influential factors identified in the international literature. By proposing these underexplored features as avenues for future research, this study broadens the scope and deepens the understanding of corporate governance within the local context. Objective This study investigates the methodological challenges faced in quantitative research on corporate governance in Iran. It identifies key issues, including the gap between theoretical frameworks and empirical methods, the stickiness of variables, insufficient cross-sectional variability, endogeneity concerns, complex interactions between corporate governance constructs, and the limitations of commonly used data sources. Furthermore, the study highlights the limited attention given to economic significance in existing research. It also analyzes trends related to these methodological challenges in domestic corporate governance studies over the examined period. By addressing these issues, the study aims to highlight novel research pathways and opportunities in the corporate governance field. Additionally, instrumental variable methods are briefly discussed as a commonly used approach to addressing endogeneity in corporate governance research. Methods This study employs an analytical-critical approach to identify methodological challenges in corporate governance research. Articles published in the journal Accounting and Auditing Reviews between 1992 and 2023 were reviewed. This journal was chosen for its long-standing publication history and its consistent focus on various corporate governance mechanisms. Corporate governance mechanisms analyzed in this study include both internal and external structures. Specifically, three recurring constructs—board of directors, management, and ownership—were evaluated to examine common issues and trends in methodological practices. Results The study highlights significant methodological challenges in frequently studied corporate governance constructs. Within the Board of Directors, four recurring characteristics—independence, size, financial expertise, and CEO-Chair duality—were examined. Similarly, three recurring characteristics in Management—CEO stability, managerial ownership, and compensation—and three in Ownership—institutional ownership, ownership concentration, and state ownership—were evaluated. The findings reveal that many of these criteria contribute to a gap between theory and method due to insufficient consideration of the research context. Key issues identified include variable stickiness, inadequate cross-sectional variability, neglect of interactions among corporate governance constructs, persistent endogeneity problems, limited sample sizes, and a general lack of emphasis on economic significance. These methodological challenges were found to persist in more recent publications, suggesting a trend of unresolved issues over time. Although this study did not directly evaluate indices used to measure corporate governance, a brief review indicates that these indices are also prone to similar methodological limitations. Conclusion This study identifies significant methodological challenges in corporate governance research in Iran, highlighting their potential to undermine the credibility and practical relevance of findings. Addressing foundational issues—such as the misalignment between theoretical frameworks and environmental contexts, persistent endogeneity concerns, and sampling limitations—is essential for improving the quality of this research. Overcoming these challenges can strengthen both the theoretical rigor and the practical implications, providing a more robust basis for policy-making and decision-making. Moreover, domestic research has predominantly concentrated on a narrow range of characteristics within the three primary corporate governance mechanisms, with particular emphasis on the board of directors. While the board’s critical role is undeniable, this focus has led to a neglect of other potentially influential factors identified in the international literature. By proposing these underexplored features as avenues for future research, this study broadens the scope and deepens the understanding of corporate governance within the local context.

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