The impact of COSO-based integrated internal control system on corporate governance principles in the sustainability era: The case of a leading educational foundation

This study mainly aimed to examine the impact of the COSO’s internal control system components (Control Environment, Risk Assessment, Control Activities, Information-Communication, Monitoring) on corporate governance principles (justice, transparency, accountability and responsibility) through the example of a leading educational foundation in Türkiye. In the study, it was investigated whether there was a significant relationship between the perceptions of employees regarding the effects of the internal control system components on corporate governance. It was also investigated whether these perceptions differed according to demographic characteristics such as gender, age, education, length of service, position. Methodologically, a descriptive online survey method including a questionnaire was applied to collect data. The survey was sent to 234 participants in different departments and positions working in the foundation, and 197 employees responded. The data were analyzed with SPSS-22. The survey, which was suitable for a 5-point Likert scale, included statements regarding demographic characteristics and COSO’s main internal control components and corporate governance principles. The study concluded that all COSO components have a significant and positive relationship with corporate governance principles. In addition, a stronger relationship was revealed between transparency and accountability principles and internal control components compared to others. Furthermore, it was indicated that these perceptions differed according to demographic characteristics. While significant differences were found in perceptions according to demographic characteristics such as gender, age and position, no differences were found according to education and working years criteria. The study is considered to contribute to the literature because it is the first study to examine the impact of the main COSO internal control components on corporate governance principles, together with the example of a leading educational foundation. The study is limited by the selected sample educational foundation, the number of respondents, survey questions-answers, the applied statistical analysis method and tests. Therefore, in order to reach more general results, it is suggested to expand the studies with more diverse and larger numbers of educational foundations, employees, survey questions and statistical methods.