Motivations for corporate social and environmental reporting: New Zealand evidence

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 449-472 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stevie Dobbs ◽  
Chris van Staden
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Stakeholder Engagement ◽  
Current View ◽  
Environmental Reporting ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Csr Reporting ◽  
Social And Environmental Reporting ◽  
Survey Responses ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose This paper aims to investigate corporate motivations for voluntarily reporting social and environmental information in New Zealand. The approach used in this study also gives the opportunity to gain insights into the internal systems and views of companies and allows the authors to make better judgements of the intentions of companies in undertaking corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting. Design/methodology/approach A survey is used and then extended to match corporate survey responses with content analysis results of actual company reporting. The results of the survey and the content analysis are examined both individually and collectively to gather more context for corporate motivations. Findings The authors find that community concerns and shareholder rights were the most important factors that influenced the companies’ decision to report. The driving force for a sustainability agenda within these companies is usually a member of senior management. The authors also find that reporting frameworks and highly formalised internal systems were not frequently used, external assurance of CSR reporting was lacking and there were low levels of stakeholder engagement. A commitment to reporting comprehensive CSR disclosures and accepting responsibility towards a range of stakeholders were, therefore, not in evidence. Research limitations/implications For researchers, the value is in further revising analysis techniques and expanding existing research methods used in this area. The study brings together important CSR topics from across the literature, including reporting levels and characteristics, internal CSR systems, CSR assurance and stakeholder engagement, to investigate the motivation for CSR reporting. Practical implications The results suggest that New Zealand companies are not currently fully committed to social and environmental reporting and that CSR reporting is most likely used to create the impression of being concerned about sustainability to increase legitimacy with stakeholders and society. The results highlight the importance of having formalised systems to ensure that disclosures are accurate and comprehensive. Originality/value The results contribute to the literature by providing a current view of the motivations for reporting companies to report or not report. The approach used gives the opportunity to gain insights into the internal systems and views of companies and allows the authors to make better judgements of the intentions of companies in undertaking CSR reporting.

Institutional shareholding and corporate social responsibility reporting: evidence from Bangladesh

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Afzalur Rashid
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Environmental Reporting ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Csr Reporting ◽  
Societal Issues ◽  
Corporate Social Responsibility Reporting ◽  
Sustainability Issue ◽  
Social And Environmental Reporting ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose This study aims to examine the influence of institutional shareholding on a firm’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices in Bangladesh. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a content analysis to capture a firm’s CSR practices, based on various attributes of social and environmental reporting made by the firm. Based on these attributes, a corporate social responsibility reporting index (CSRI) is constructed. To examine the causal relationship between institutional shareholding and firm CSR practices, this study uses a simultaneous equations approach to control the endogeneity problem. Findings The finding of this study is that both CSR reporting and institutional shareholding negatively influence each other. Research limitations/implications This study is subject to some limitations such as the subjectivity or judgement associated in the coding process. Practical implications If the institutional investors are not concerned with its environmental and societal issues, there will be a sustainability issue for the business because companies will continue ignoring the employee health and hygiene, education, training and welfare. Their ignorance of these societal issues will lead to compromising the quality of living for important stakeholders within the society. Originality/value This study contributes the literature on CSR reporting.

The influence of corporate governance practices on corporate social responsibility reporting

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Afzalur Rashid
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Environmental Reporting ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Csr Reporting ◽  
Governance Practices ◽  
Csr Disclosure ◽  
Social And Environmental Reporting ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose This study aims to investigate if “corporate governance practices” have any influence on firm corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting by listed firms in Bangladesh. Design/methodology/approach This study uses a content analysis to examine specific corporate social responsibility (CSR)-related attributes from 101 publicly listed non-financial firms in Bangladesh. Using various attributes of social and environmental reporting, a disclosure index is also constructed. Findings The finding of this study is that corporate governance practices do not have any influence on firm CSR reporting. The findings, in particular, show that CSR disclosure by firms is not responsive to new corporate governance regulations. Research limitations/implications This study is subject to some limitations, such as the subjectivity or judgement associated in the coding process. Practical implications The implication of this study is that firm CSR practices are legitimization exercises and firms will not make increased disclosure due to regulator’s quest for institutionalisation of corporate governance practices. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature on the practices of CSR reporting in the context of developing countries following regulator’s quest for institutionalisation of corporate governance practices.

The influence of stakeholder power on corporate social responsibility: evidence from a relationship-based economy

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 270-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Afzalur Rashid
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Environmental Reporting ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Listed Firms ◽  
Csr Reporting ◽  
Social And Environmental Reporting ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – This study aims to examine whether lenders’ power and other attributes influence corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting in Bangladesh. Design/methodology/approach – This study uses content analysis to examine specific CSR-related attributes from 115 publicly listed firms in Bangladesh. By using various attributes of social and environmental reporting a disclosure index is also constructed. This study uses an Ordinary Lease Square Regression analysis to examine the relationship between stakeholders’ power and CSR reporting. Findings – The finding is that lenders’ power, or the extent of borrowing, does not influence CSR exposure. However, lenders’ cost of monitoring and ability to monitor significantly and positively influence CSR exposure. Research limitations/implications – This study is subject to some limitations, such as the subjectivity or judgement associated in the coding process. Practical implications – The implication of this study is that, when multiple borrowing creates “claim-dilution” problems, lenders are found to influence CSR activity. Originality/value – This study also supports the stakeholder theory and contributes to the literature on the practices of CSR reporting in the context of developing countries.

scholarly journals Sustainability, responsibility and ethics: different concepts for a single path

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Riccardo Torelli
Keyword(s):  
Critical Discussion ◽  
Critical Approach ◽  
Environmental Reporting ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Basic Meaning ◽  
Deep Meaning ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Social And Environmental Reporting ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
Single Path

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse the concepts of sustainability, responsibility and ethics focussing on their links and differences, also to understand how companies move respectively in these field; to understand how companies sometimes move away from the basic and deep meaning of these concepts, landing in a merely utilitarian sphere of personal advantage where ethics, instead of being an irreplaceable and essential stronghold, is found to be a fiction or just an instrument. Design/methodology/approach The methodology used assumes a theoretical critical approach and, based on the vast literature on the items, is based on a conceptual analysis of the themes of sustainability, corporate social responsibility (CSR) and ethics and of the behaviour that companies can adopt in the three contexts. A critical approach to these issues and concepts can effectively help us to understand how companies are responding to external demands and to the challenges of responsibility and sustainability, which are becoming increasingly pressing. Findings Ethics, sustainability, CSR and social and environmental reporting are distinct constructs with different meanings but linked by important conceptual and operational relationships. Research limitations/implications The results of the research are the consequence of the application of a critical approach based on a theoretical analysis of the concepts under study. It would be interesting to support the results achieved with empirical research studies. Practical implications This conceptual path helps scholars and companies themselves to understand the difference between the three key concepts analysed. Only by understanding the basic meaning will it be possible to really make one’s own and pursue it in the correct way. Social implications Nowadays, the authors are overwhelmed by these three concepts which are used as synonyms and incorrectly. This leads to confusion and misunderstandings. Knowledge of the characteristics and differences between these concepts and their concrete applications is of great importance. Originality/value This study tries to provide a critical discussion of how the three concepts intersect and differentiate, leading to concrete results or results that have nothing to do with their meaning. There are no conceptual papers in the literature that deal with the three concepts and also analyse the implications on the real world.

Emerging phenomenon of corporate social and environmental reporting in China

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 386-415 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shengli Yu ◽  
Anna Lee Rowe
Keyword(s):  
Peer Pressure ◽  
Theoretical Framework ◽  
Environmental Reporting ◽  
Senior Managers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Theoretical Approaches ◽  
Managerial Perceptions ◽  
Social And Environmental Reporting ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
Depth Interviews

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the motivations underpinning recent evolving corporate social and environmental reporting (CSER) among enterprises in China through the lenses of senior managers. Design/methodology/approach Using the interpretive tenets of engagement research, semi-structured in-depth interviews were adopted to explore the perceptions of senior managers from 21 large companies in various industries. The aim is to make sense of the emerging CSER phenomenon occurring in the field through engagement, observation and penetrating interviews. Findings The findings identify the main enablers driving CSER in China as: regulations and government influence; management awareness; benefits to company image; peer pressure/reporting by peers and public pressure on controversial companies. Guided by a system-based theoretical framework in terms of motivations for CSER, this study offers insights into the effectiveness of using widely adopted Western-based theoretical approaches in a Chinese context where companies operate against a different socio-economic, political, regulatory and cultural backdrop. Research limitations/implications The deep-rooted face (Mianzi) culture has the potential to influence managers to portray a positive image about their companies and themselves. Originality/value This engagement-based study is one of the few initiatives exploring managerial perceptions of CSER in China that adds to the scant literature pertaining to rich “emic” data in accounting, encompassing cultural influence by applying systems-oriented theoretical framework. The stimulus for CSER identified are useful for regulators and organizations to better comprehend how to set effective policies that promote CSER and fit the distinctive institutional characteristics of China.

scholarly journals Content analysis in social and environmental reporting research: trends and challenges

2015 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 166-195 ◽  
Author(s):  
Petros Vourvachis ◽  
Thérèse Woodward
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Validity And Reliability ◽  
Environmental Reporting ◽  
Specific Content ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Coding Schemes ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Social And Environmental Reporting

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review the use of content analysis in social and environmental reporting (SER) research. It explores how the relevant literature has evolved over time and particularly how recent developments have affected the validity and reliability challenges that researchers face when executing the method. Design/methodology/approach – The paper combines a quasi-systematic review of the literature employing content analysis (examining a sample of 251 studies published over the last 40 years in a wide array of journals with interest in the field), with a largely interpretive meta-analysis, using an index, considering the research questions asked and frameworks used as well as the specific content analysis decisions. Findings – A number of issues of concern in the use of the method are identified, mainly over comparability and reliability of coding schemes. Potential explanations are developed and methodological refinements that could enhance the usefulness of content analysis methods in SER research are subsequently proposed. Research limitations/implications – It should be acknowledged that, as 251 SER studies have been reviewed, there is always the possibility that some unique studies that could have contributed in the discussion have been ignored. Practical implications – By reviewing the use of the method in a comprehensive sample of 251 SER studies published over the last 40 years in a wide array of journals with interest in the field, the paper also offers a guide for researchers (particularly in the SER field) wishing to employ content analysis in the future. Originality/value – The paper contributes to the literature by offering a critical and comprehensive review of the method’s theoretical underpinnings and application in SER research, and by describing changing patterns in content analysis, in order to help build a more secure foundation for future work.

An exploratory analysis of managerial perceptions of social and environmental reporting in China

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 80-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Na Zhao ◽  
Dennis M Patten
Keyword(s):  
Image Enhancement ◽  
Organizational Response ◽  
Environmental Reporting ◽  
Institutional Perspective ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Chinese Context ◽  
Csr Reporting ◽  
The Government ◽  
Csr Disclosure ◽  
Social And Environmental Reporting

Purpose – This paper aims to determine the perceptions of managers in China with respect to the pressures for, and the purposes of, social and environmental reporting (SER) in the Chinese context. Design/methodology/approach – The authors interviewed 14 managers from nine different state-owned enterprises, all headquartered in Beijing. Interviews were conducted during 2009, the height of the period of growth in standalone corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting in China. The authors assess the perceptions of the managers from a neo-institutional perspective. Findings – The findings indicate that, similar to reporting in more Western economies, managers perceive that a variety of coercive, normative and mimetic pressures interplay to influence SER in the Chinese context. The managers perceive peer institutions as exerting the greatest pressures for reporting and, surprisingly, indicate that the government, rather than exerting coercive pressures for SER, instead is seen as playing a facilitating role. The findings also reveal that the managers almost uniformly see the purpose of the reporting as a tool of image enhancement, particularly with respect to the general public. However, in contrast to studies of organizational response to institutional change in other settings, the authors find little non-conformity. Research limitations/implications – The findings suggest neo-institutional arguments for CSR reporting appear to hold, even in China’s socialist market economy. Practical implications – The finding that managers see CSR reporting as being largely about image enhancement may help to explain the low quality of disclosure documented in other studies. Social implications – Improving CSR disclosure in China would appear to require more mandated pressure from, particularly, governmental powers. Originality/value – This is the first study to explore via in-depth interviews the perceptions of managers in China to the evolving practice of standalone CSR reporting.

Corporate social responsibility: Internet social and environmental reporting by banks

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 414-446 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Khalil ◽  
Patrick O’sullivan
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Middle East ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Banking Sector ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Middle Eastern ◽  
Environmental Reporting ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Social And Environmental Reporting ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to provide further insight into internet social and environmental reporting (ISER) in the Middle East by investigating the ISER of Lebanese banks as well as their greenwashing behaviour and identifying its extent, quality and association with different variables such as profitability, size, religion and other variables. Design/methodology/approach This study adopted a mixed methodology. Interviews were conducted to seek the opinions of banks towards corporate social responsibility (CSR). Content analysis of bank’s websites was used to examine the extent, quality and association of ISER with several bank characteristics. Findings The results show the prevalent use of ISER and greenwashing by Lebanese banks. The most disclosed category of ISER is community, whereas the least disclosed is environment. The study found a positive association between ISER and bank profitability, size, leverage and ownership concentration and an insignificant relationship with age and religion. Research limitations/implications The authors recognise that the sample is small and addresses a single context and that it could have been expanded to other Middle Eastern contexts. However, the study is exploratory focusing on the Lebanese banking sector which is one of the most developed in the region. Further longitudinal studies could also be conducted to complement the work. The process used to measure greenwashing could be enhanced by addressing the materiality of CSR disclosures to stakeholders and the purpose of communicating CSR information. Practical implications In light of the empirical findings, banks will gain a better understanding of the status and importance of ISER and will understand the risks of greenwashing leading them towards higher standard ISER and more ethical activities, which will have a positive impact on the Lebanese economy and society. Originality/value This study examines almost all aspects of online social and environmental disclosures including the webpage, CSR sections in addition to online published reports; it is an investigation about ISER with reference to Lebanon which has perhaps the most significant banking sector in the Middle East. It tackles the greenwashing issue in a new context and in a different way by examining its association with several variables. The study also investigates the association between religion and ISER which has seldom been tackled in similar studies.

Corporate social and environmental reporting practices

2017 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 138-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md Moazzem Hossain ◽  
Mahmood Ahmed Momin ◽  
Anna Lee Rowe ◽  
Mohammed Quaddus
Keyword(s):  
Human Rights ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Environmental Reporting ◽  
Holistic View ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mixed Methods Approach ◽  
Reporting Practices ◽  
Social And Environmental Reporting ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
Community Investment

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore corporate social and environmental reporting (CSER) practices and motivations in Bangladesh. Design/methodology/approach Using a mixed-methods approach, the paper attempts to understand what corporate social and environmental issues Bangladeshi firms are reporting and why. The paper first explores the motivations for CSER in line with O’Dwyer’s (2003) proposed classifications of proactive and reactive motivations through interviews and frames its findings using stakeholder theory. To provide a more holistic view, content analysis adapted from CSR Asia (2008) categorization (broadly guided by GRI) was conducted to enhance findings from engagement-based interviews with managers. Findings The paper finds that “community investment and development” and “governance codes and policies” received the highest amount of disclosure, while the least amount of disclosure was found in the “workplace/human rights” category. Although a philanthropic tone was found behind “community investment”, such as poverty alleviation activities, disclosure in this area is mostly motivated by proactive rationales with enlightened self-interest and image-building activities. In terms of reactive motivations underpinning CSER, the paper finds that companies also report reactively to reduce pressure from powerful stakeholders such as international buyers and government agencies. Contrary to other studies regarding reactive motivations, the authors argue that a director’s proactive motivation is the prime determinant of CSER in a developing country. They also argue that low-level disclosures on workplace environment/human rights need to be given more importance by policymakers, management and other relevant stakeholders. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the study is one of the few engagement-based field studies that uses a mixed-methods approach to seek managerial perspectives in an attempt to understand CSER practices in an emerging country context.

Corporate social responsibility performance communication and portfolio management

2017 ◽  
Vol 43 (5) ◽  
pp. 595-613 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rashid Ameer ◽  
Radiah Othman
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Portfolio Management ◽  
Stakeholder Engagement ◽  
Social Issues ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Proactive Approach ◽  
Small Economy ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance communication and stocks’ performance using socially responsible investment (SRI) portfolio management approach. Design/methodology/approach The authors used the multi-factors models to examine the impact of CSR performance communication on the ex post monthly returns of three distinctly formed portfolios as well as their differential performance from 2001 to 2013 in a small economy of New Zealand. Findings The results show that SRS portfolio comprising of the stocks that demonstrate a relatively less proactive approach to the social and environmental concerns outperforms a stock portfolio that comprises of companies that have a relatively proactive approach to stakeholder engagement referred to as SVS portfolio. Furthermore, the authors’ findings show a positive relationship between social performance and market valuation. This indicates that the market values more stakeholder engagement in regard to social issues than environmental issues. Research limitations/implications The authors’ findings imply that the SRI does make perfect financial sense in a small economy such as New Zealand. The perception of the CSR communication as an “insurance” for mitigation of social and environmental risks is one of the factors driving the valuation of SRI portfolios in New Zealand. Originality/value The authors collected CSR data from the publicly available sources such as the annual reports, the CSR reports and sustainability reports because a layman investor is more likely to rely on these sources in a small economy.

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