On Friday, June 13, 2025, the Faculty of Economics and Business, Trisakti University, held an Open Doctoral Promotion Session for the Doctor of Economics program with a concentration in Accounting. The event took place at Campus A, Hendriawan Sie Building (S), 8th Floor. During the session, Dr. Arya Darmawan, SE., M.Ak was officially declared to have passed with the distinction of “Cum Laude” (Very Satisfactory), marking him as the 192nd graduate of the Doctoral Program in Accounting Concentration.

The dissertation, entitled “The Influence of Sustainability Governance and Digital Transformation on Firm Performance with Business Ethics as a Moderating Variable” examines how sustainability governance and digital transformation affect firm performance, with business ethics serving as a moderating variable. The study introduces a significant novelty in the measurement of sustainability governance by incorporating three new dimensions and forty new indicators, providing a more comprehensive analytical framework.

The defense session was chaired by Prof. Dr. Yolanda Masnita Siagian, M.M., CIRR., CMA, CPMA (Asia), accompanied by Prof. Dr. Etty Murwaningsari, Ak., M.M., CA as Secretary and Head of the Doctoral Program in Accounting Concentration. The Promotor was Prof. Dr. Khomsiyah, Ak., CA., FCMA., CGMA., CRIB, with Prof. Dr. Titik Aryati, Ak., M.Si., CA., CCFA as Co-Promotor. The examining committee consisted of Dr. Murtanto, M.Si., Ak., CA., CPIA., CCFA, Dr. Vinola Herawaty, Ak., M.Si., CA, and Prof. Dr. Tri Widyastuti, SE., Ak., M.M., CA as the External Examiner.

Novelty – The novelty of this research lies in the development of a corporate governance measurement model that integrates sustainability aspects not previously accommodated in prior studies by Ledi & Ameza–Xemalordzo (2023). Earlier research focused on three main dimensions: board structure and composition, ownership structure, and ethics and compliance. This study extends the model by adding three new dimensions—(1) Sustainability Governance based on OJK Regulation No. 51 of 2017 with six indicators, (2) Sustainability and Resilience (ACGS 2023) with nineteen indicators, and (3) IT Governance with thirteen indicators. Furthermore, the study modifies existing indicators and adds new ones related to information technology training, capacity building, and the utilization of social media.

Research Findings – The results reveal that effective sustainability governance plays a crucial role in enhancing firm performance, while digital transformation still requires stronger implementation to achieve significant impact. The moderating analysis demonstrates that business ethics significantly strengthens the influence of both sustainability governance and digital transformation on firm performance. The expansion model testing, which incorporates the three new dimensions—OJK Regulation No. 51 of 2017, Sustainability and Resilience (ACGS 2023), and IT Governance—also shows a significant positive impact on firm performance. Among these, the Sustainability and Resilience dimension exerts the greatest influence, as it encompasses strategic aspects such as compliance with global reporting standards (GRI, IFRS, SASB), green supply chain management, stakeholder engagement, and anti-corruption policies.

With this achievement, Dr. Arya Darmawan, SE., M.Ak is expected to make substantial contributions both academically and practically in promoting the implementation of ethical sustainability governance and digital transformation in Indonesia’s corporate environment. Academically, this research broadens theoretical understanding of how sustainability, resilience, and IT governance dimensions can shape a more adaptive governance framework in response to global challenges. Practically, the findings serve as a valuable reference for companies in designing sustainable business strategies that integrate ethical principles, technological innovation, and social–environmental responsibility. Consequently, this research not only strengthens the academic foundation of sustainability accounting and governance studies but also provides strategic insights for regulators and industry practitioners to enhance national competitiveness through transparent, inclusive, and sustainable business practices aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).