Can sustainable corporate governance enhance internal audit function? Evidence from Omani public listed companies

With the application of the agency theory and institutional theory, this study is intended towards the measurement of sustainable corporate governance (SCG) impact on internal audit function (IA) within Omani public listed companies. This study will also theoretically consider the Chinese investment in Oman and its potential impact on Oman's corporate governance. For this study, SCG is an independent variable and IA is the dependent variable. This study used a descriptive cross-sectional survey design. Data is collected by an internet-based tool and analyzed via PLS-SEM and SPSS. Result suggests that SCG has a significant and direct relationship with IA. In order to attract and sustain Chinese investment and to achieve SCG, this study can assist regulators, professional bodies, and organizations in amending their codes of corporate governance and organizational policies by introducing SCG clauses into their policies and codes with emphasis on the protection of foreign investors. To the best of the knowledge of the researcher, this study is unique, as previous studies demonstrate the IA on SCG, whereas this study emphasizes that SCG can impact the control functions within organizations that also include IA.