Beyond administration: unveiling the strategic role of company secretaries in corporate governance: a systematic literature review

The strategic role of company secretaries in corporate governance remains underdeveloped in academic discourse, despite their statutory presence and growing influence within board structures (Kakabadse et al., 2014; Tricker, 2019). This paper addresses this gap by systematically reviewing the evolving functions of company secretaries, with particular attention to their technical, commercial, and social attributes. The study employs a systematic literature review (SLR) methodology, guided by Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocols, and synthesises findings from 16 peer-reviewed publications spanning from 1993 to 2024. The results indicate a discernible shift in perception — from administrative facilitators to governance professionals who contribute to board effectiveness, regulatory compliance, and strategic communication. These findings are examined through the lenses of agency theory, stakeholders’ theory, resource dependence theory, and signalling theory. The review highlights notable jurisdictional and sectoral differences, particularly between developed and emerging markets, and identifies the increasing relevance of company secretaries in high-regulation industries such as financial services. The study concludes by emphasising the need for institutional empowerment and greater integration of company secretaries into strategic governance processes. This research contributes to the literature by bridging theoretical insights with practical implications, offering valuable guidance for scholars, regulators, and practitioners seeking to enhance governance quality through the expanded utilisation of company secretaries.

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