Environmental disclosure in annual reports: A legitimacy theory perspective

2001 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-48
Author(s):  
A Savage ◽  
E Gilbert ◽  
J Rowlands ◽  
A J Cataldo
Keyword(s):  
Annual Reports ◽  
Legitimacy Theory ◽  
Environmental Disclosure

scholarly journals The relationships between reporting format, environmental disclosure and environmental performance

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 425-444 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abeer Hassan ◽  
Xin Guo
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Performance ◽  
Strategic Communication ◽  
Environmental Information ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Legitimacy Theory ◽  
Environmental Disclosure ◽  
Content Type ◽  
New Perspective ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to assess whether European companies issue standalone environmental reports in an attempt to gain and maintain legitimacy with relevant stakeholders. This is achieved by creating and empirically testing a model of the relationships between corporate reporting format, industry membership, environmental disclosure, and environmental performance. Design/methodology/approach Data are collected from 100 large European companies in carbon and non-carbon-intensive industries. Hypothesis testing is conducted via structure equation modeling. Findings Evidence exists that companies which disclose environmental information in standalone environmental reports tend to provide higher levels of environmental information than companies which combine financial and environmental disclosure in annual reports. The findings support greenwashing as a new perspective of legitimacy theory: companies in carbon-intensive industry use standalone environmental reports to pose as good corporate citizens even when they are not. Research limitations/implications The sample companies are large European companies and this could limit the generalizability of research findings. The authors call for longitudinal studies examining how the relationship between reporting format and environmental disclosure changes. Practical implications This paper suggests that reporting format be considered a proactive, strategic communication-driven activity rather than a decision that managers passively make in response to external scrutiny. Originality/value The paper contributes to the literature by adding to the scarce evidence of the relationship between reporting format and environmental disclosure. Greenwashing as a new perspective of legitimacy theory is used to develop research hypotheses.

CORPORATE ENVIRONMENTAL DISCLOSURE AND LEGITIMACY THEORY: AN EUROPE PERSPECTIVE

2011 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 1883-1891 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia Milanes-Montero ◽  
Esteban Perez-Calderon
Keyword(s):  
Legitimacy Theory ◽  
Environmental Disclosure

Responding to “Discrediting” Events: Annual Report Disclosure Responses to Environmental Fines

2002 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hussein Warsame ◽  
Cynthia V. Simmons ◽  
Dean Neu
Keyword(s):  
Impression Management ◽  
Annual Report ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Matched Pair ◽  
Disclosure Quality ◽  
Publicly Traded ◽  
Environmental Disclosure ◽  
Environmental Disclosures ◽  
Disclosure Responses

In this study we consider how a discrediting event such as an environmental fine influences the quality of environmental disclosures in subsequent annual reports. Starting from prior work in the areas of impression management along with environmental and social responsibility disclosures, we propose that environmental disclosures provide organizations with a method of “managing” such discrediting events. Using a matched-pair sample of publicly traded Canadian companies that have been subject to environmental fines and those that have not; we analyze changes in pre-fine and post-fine environmental disclosure quality. After controlling for firm-specific characteristics, the provided results are consistent with this explanation.

scholarly journals Environmental Disclosure Modelling in a Developing Economy: Does Corporate Governance Matter? A Double Hurdle Regression Approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 111
Author(s):  
Gbenga Ekundayo ◽  
Ndubuisi Jeffery Jamani ◽  
Festus Odhigu
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Environmental Information ◽  
Information Criteria ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Hurdle Model ◽  
Developing Economy ◽  
Significant Determinant ◽  
Environmental Disclosure ◽  
Double Hurdle Model ◽  
Double Hurdle

The paper examines environmental Disclosure Modelling in a Developing Economy using the Craigg double hurdle model and controlling for the role of corporate governance. This study employs the ex-post research design and investigates firm’s environmental disclosures in Nigeria, by controlling for corporate governance characteristics. The study employs a sample of 35 non-financial firms listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange using the simple random sampling technique. Secondary data retrieved from the financial statements of the selected companies was used for the study. Both the Tobit and double-hurdle models were estimated but based on the Bayesian and Akaike’s information criteria for model selection, the double-hurdle model is preferred. The result reveals that though Board size is not a significant determinant of probability to disclose environmental information in annual reports (-0.0408, p=0.175), it is a significant determinant of the extent of environmental disclosure reports (0.1943, p=0.00) given that a firm has decided to disclose. Board independence is a significant determinant of both probability to disclose environmental information and extent of disclosure (-2.2373, p=0.00) with a negative coefficient. The Board gender diversity is not a significant determinant of probability to disclose environmental information in annual reports (-0.60076, p=0.461), it is a nevertheless a significant determinant of the extent of environmental disclosure reports (-3.5913, p=0.00) when firms then decide to disclose. Institutional ownership turns out to be a significant determinant of both the probability to disclose environmental information and extent of disclosure (0.0273, p=0.00) when firms choose to disclose. Finally, the truncated model results also reveals that though managerial ownership is not a significant determinant of probability to disclose environmental information in annual reports (-0.01352, p=0.148), it is nevertheless a significant determinant of the extent of environmental disclosure reports (-0.0206, p=0.001) when firms then decide to disclose.

The Role of Shariah Supervisory Board in Legitimizing the Existence of Sudanese Islamic Banks through Social Responsibility Reporting

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 432-440
Author(s):  
Azam Abdelhakeem Khalid Et.al
Keyword(s):  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Information Disclosure ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
Supervisory Board ◽  
Theoretical Implication ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Islamic Banks ◽  
Legitimacy Theory ◽  
Board Size

Purpose -This study empirically investigates the function of Shariah Supervisory Board (SSB) in legitimizing the social and ethical existence of Sudanese banks through the dissemination of data onIslamic social in annual reports. Design/methodology/approach -The paper examines a panel dataset covering the period 2006 – 2015 through the use of disclosure index and content analysis from 150annual reports of Sudanese banks. The role of SSB is expressed from the aspects of Corporate Governance mechanisms (i.e. board size, independency, doctoral qualification, cross- directorship, and the overall effect of SSB mechanisms).The current study employs the multiple regression models by using STATA-13 statistical toolin answering the research questions. Findings -The empirical results indicate that the board size, doctoral qualification, and cross-directorship of the members were positively correlatedwith the disclosure degree of Islamic Corporate Social Responsibility (ICSR) in the annual reports of Sudanese Islamic banks, which is in favour of legitimacy theory. Meanwhile, results indicate that, in contrary to legitimacytheory’s assumptions,the independence of SSB members is found to negatively correlate with the ICSR level of disclosure of the sampled Sudanese banks’ annual reports. Furthermore, the overall effects of SSB mechanisms are found to positivelyimpact the ICSR disclosure level. The study’sfindings add new empirical evidence to support the view that social information disclosure by companies is influenced by country- cultural context within which the company operates. Theoretical implication - In theory, this paper offers an analysis on CSR in Sudan from Islamic point of view. This paper is vital in view that social responsibility is highly regarded by Islam. Therefore, social responsibility must be adopted by all Islamic organizations, particularly the Islamic banks. Originality/value – From the researchers’ perspective, this study is the pioneer thatinvestigates the role of SSB on Sudanese Islamic banks through social responsibility reporting using legitimacy theory.

Seeking legitimacy

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 1009-1021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dennis M. Patten
Keyword(s):  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Legitimacy Theory ◽  
Environmental Disclosure ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Social And Environmental Disclosure ◽  
The Rich ◽  
Csr Disclosure ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose In this essay, the author reflects on the legitimacy theory in corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure research. Design/methodology/approach This is a reflection/review essay based on a review of relevant literature. Findings Although almost constantly under attack from a variety of scholars, legitimacy theory seems to hold on in the social and environmental disclosure arena. However, the failure of the recent wave of CSR-themed work published in The Accounting Review to even acknowledge, let alone engage with, the theory is problematic. Research limitations/implications We, in the CSR disclosure arena, need to do all we can to help emerging scholars (particularly in the USA) find the rich body of research the mainstream journals fail to discuss. Practical implications Legitimacy-based research can help move CSR disclosure at least closer to being a tool of accountability, as opposed to a tool for legitimation. Social implications Perhaps the critique of the mainstream North American literature’s failure to consider legitimacy theory can lead to the recognition of the need to focus on the harm to sustainability that a narrow, shareholder-centric focus leads to. Originality/value This reflection takes a unique look at the contributions of legitimacy theory to CSR disclosure research.

Social and environmental disclosure index: perspectives from Indian corporate sector

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 192-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monica Singhania ◽  
Gagan Gandhi
Keyword(s):  
Sample Size ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Corporate Sector ◽  
Environmental Disclosure ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Explanatory Variables ◽  
The Social ◽  
Social And Environmental Disclosure ◽  
A Company

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to construct the social and environmental disclosure index for Indian companies in order to examine the relationship between social and environmental disclosure and select corporate attributes. Design/methodology/approach – The sample covers annual reports of companies for financial year 2011-2012. The sample represents both financial and non-financial companies that constitute Nifty 50 Index companies as on March 31, 2012. The actual size of the sample analyzed represented 41 companies. The unweighted disclosure index approach has been used to measure the extent of disclosure of social and environmental information where an item scores 1 if disclosed and 0 if not disclosed. The authors built a model using regression which indicates the variables that are significant in determining the social and environmental disclosure of a company. The regression model can be used to predict the degree of disclosure of a company given the values of explanatory variables. Content analysis from annual reports of the companies has been used in constructing the dependent variable. Findings – Regression results indicate that location (place where the registered office of company is located), number of operations of company, turnover, sales and administration expenses, age of company, employee cost and interest paid by company are significant in determining the disclosure index of the company. Research limitations/implications – Sample size can be increased by considering more companies. In addition, a longitudinal study would enable in drawing comparison over a period of time with respect to disclosure index. The increased sample size would help in validating the disclosure score by dividing the data set into two: one as observation window and the other as validation window.The model explains 23 percent variation in disclosure index. More variation may be explained by incorporating more explanatory variables in the model. Practical implications – The authors indicate the level of disclosure in case of Indian companies which may prove to be an indicator for prospective investors especially in the present era of global financial and economic downturn. The paper may assist the regulators in framing policies regarding corporate governance. This will enable the regulators of corporate sector to frame laws in order to predict the degree of disclosure of a company based on certain explanatory variables. Originality/value – The authors focus especially on Indian companies for constructing the disclosure index which to the best of knowledge has not been attempted till date.

scholarly journals Corporate Social Reporting By Mauritian Banks

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 56 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dineshwar Ramdhony
Keyword(s):  
Human Resources ◽  
Commercial Banks ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Legitimacy Theory ◽  
Csr Reporting ◽  
Corporate Social Reporting ◽  
Narrow View ◽  
Csr Disclosure ◽  
Code Of Corporate Governance ◽  
Corporate Social

The paper examines CSR disclosures by commercial banks operating in Mauritius. Annual reports for the year 2011 were scrutinized using content analysis. Five categories of disclosure were chosen in line with the Code of corporate governance and prior studies. Due to the small number (20) of banks operating in the country all banks were selected. Findings show that banks with higher visibility disclose more CSR information thus confirming that the legitimacy theory is an explanation for CSR disclosure by Mauritian banks. CSR reporting is prevalent among all banks but forty percent of banks disclose CSR information relating to one category only showing a narrow view of CSR. The primary area of disclosure is ‘Human resources’ which is at odds with previous studies. The paper contributes to the scarce literature on CSR disclosures by banks in a developing country.

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