scholarly journals Integrated reporting vs. sustainability reporting for corporate responsibility in South Africa

2015 ◽  
Vol 29 (29) ◽  
pp. 7-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra F. Clayton ◽  
Jayne M. Rogerson ◽  
Isaac Rampedi

AbstractLarge corporates have come under increasing pressure to conduct their business in a more transparent and responsible manner. In order for business to fulfil its obligations under the ethic of accountability stakeholders must be given relevant, timely, and understandable information about their activities through corporate reports. The conventional company reports on annual financial performance, sustainability and governance disclosures often fail to make the connection between the organisation’s strategy, its financial results and performance on environmental, social and governance issues. Recognising the inherent shortcomings of existing reporting models, there is a growing trend to move towards integrated reporting. South Africa has been one of the most innovative countries in terms of integrated corporate reporting. Since 2010 companies primarily listed on the country’s major stock exchange have been required to produce an integrated report as opposed to the former sustainability report. The aim in this study is to review the development of integrated reporting by large corporates in South Africa and assess the impact of the required transition from sustainability reporting to integrated reporting on non-financial disclosure of eight South African corporates using content analysis of annual reports.

2016 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 216-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patient Rambe ◽  
Tonderayi B. Mangara

Integrated corporate reporting (ICR), which entails the process of compiling, documenting and reporting on company’s resources, its ongoing relationships with key stakeholders; business models; products (services); and the impact of such products (or services) on stakeholders, society, as well as the environment to optimize company value, has generated considerable interest among top 100 Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) listed companies in South Africa over the last decade. Despite the surging interest in ICR to leverage the social responsibility, transparency and public accountability of companies in the developing African countries, little is known about the combined influence of ICR and internal company resources and/ capabilities (e.g., age and experience of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO)) on the performance of South African listed companies. The main objective of this study, therefore, is to examine the impact of Integrated Reporting Ratings (IRR); the company CEO’s age; and his/her years as a CEO on the share price of the company within the South African context. The top-106 JSE listed companies for the period Year-end 2014 constitute the sample for this study. Multivariate non-parametric regression is used to model the relationship between the predictor (i.e., independent) variables and the response (i.e., dependent) variable using MATLAB. The model developed in this study is, then, used to evaluate the impact of IRR; the CEO’s age and years of experience as CEO on the share price of individual companies. The proposed methodology is illustrated step-by-step. The finding of the study reveal that the share price of a company tended to increase with an increase in IRR, age and years of experience of the CEO, demonstrating that a company’s established history in integrated reporting and corporate experience positively impact its performance (i.e., the share price). Keywords: integrated corporate reporting, corporate responsibility, JSE listed companies, MATLAB. JEL Classification: G17


SAGE Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 215824402092743 ◽  
Author(s):  
Salaheldin Hamad ◽  
Muhammad Umar Draz ◽  
Fong-Woon Lai

Integrated Reporting (IR) is a relatively new concept that is considered one of the most recent trends in corporate reporting; it is still an emerging research area in different parts of the world. Malaysia is an appropriate emerging economy to investigate IR adoption. Large Malaysian public listed companies (PLCs) are encouraged by the Malaysian Code on Corporate Governance (MCCG) of 2017 to adopt IR based on the international IR framework. By combining the stakeholder theory and the agency theory, this article proposes a conceptual framework to explore the moderating effect of sustainability reporting on the relationship between corporate governance mechanisms and IR disclosure level for the Malaysian PLCs. To obtain the data related to IR and the other variables, the study suggests using a content analysis method on the annual reports of the top 100 Malaysian PLCs based on their market capitalization. The proposed conceptual framework could be very useful; it can assist PLCs having sustainability practices to adopt the IR framework, reduce information asymmetries, increase information transparency, and create value. This study contributes to the literature by investigating the IR practices and their determinants in Malaysia after the introduction of MCCG 2017.


2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-68
Author(s):  
Collins Ngwakwe ◽  
Fortune Ganda ◽  
Oladele John Akinyomi

This paper examined the stance of independent directors on corporate sustainable development initiative in South Africa and Nigeria. This has become apposite considering the role of independent directors in corporate strategic decisions and performance. It is believed that independent boards strive to direct corporate decisions to protect the investors and thus improve financial performance. Given that sustainability initiative is currently occupying a vital strategic position in protecting firms against inherent and imminent climate change and financial risks, the paper undertakes a survey of South African and Nigerian companies to ascertain the role of independent directors on corporate sustainable development initiatives. Using a mix method of primary and secondary data analysis, the paper finds that independent boards in both countries of study understand the importance of sustainability; however a pragmatic stance on sustainability is more visible in South Africa where independent boards are members of and/or participate in nominating corporate sustainability committees. The paper suggests the need for improved detailed disclosure on sustainability in the Nigerian corporate annual reports; the Nigerian Stock Exchange may boost this initiative by establishing a social and environmental reporting index supported by an annual survey of company sustainability disclosure. It also suggests the need to include sustainability awareness and interest in the metrics that are used in the appointment of independent boards in Nigerian companies


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael O. Adelowotan ◽  
Ini E. Udofia

Research purpose: The purpose of this paper was to investigate the association between corporate attributes and the implementation of Integrated Reporting (IR) among quoted companies on the Nigerian Stock Exchange which currently operates a voluntary based disclosure environment.Design and method: Using content analysis to derive the disclosure scores for integrated reporting and corporate attributes, the authors investigated the impact of corporate attributes on the implementation of the integrated reporting of a sample of 90 listed firms. The annual reports covering 2013–2017 were analysed using the disclosure methodologies developed by prior researchers in IR. The hypotheses were tested using panel least square regressions.Main findings: The authors found that corporate attributes have a statistically positive and significant impact on the implementation of integrated reporting framework, that share ownership structure and firm age have an insignificant influence over corporate implementation of the integrated reporting framework. The research findings extend integrated reporting research in Nigeria from mere primary data analysis to quantitative data analysis.Practical implications: The empirical findings provide regulators with evidence on the current level of integrated reporting disclosures and the influence of corporate attributes in driving integrated reporting.Originality and value: The study makes significant contributions to integrated reporting literature from a developing country’s perspective. It also provided empirical evidence of a high level of disclosure compliance with the IR framework among quoted companies in Nigeria.


Author(s):  
Chidiebele Innocent Onyali ◽  
Tochukwu Gloria Okafor

The purpose of this paper is to explore the influence of foreign directors on integrated sustainability reporting of listed consumer goods firms in Nigeria. Specifically, the study investigated the impact of foreign directors on the economic, social, and governance disclosure of listed consumer goods firms in Nigeria. The study used the ex post facto research design. Population and sample size comprised of 21 listed consumer goods firms on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. The duration of the study is from 2011 to 2017 financial year. Multiple regressions analysis was adopted in testing the formulated hypotheses. The dependent variable sustainability integrated reporting was measured using an Economic, Social, and Governance (ESG) index. The independent variable was measured as the number of foreign directors on board. The results show a significant influence of foreign directors on the economic, social, and governance disclosure of listed consumer goods firms in Nigeria. Based on this, the study recommends the adoption of a genetic heterogeneous board structure to leverage the diverse set of skills brought by foreign board members to decision–making.


2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 62-70
Author(s):  
Amelia Setiawan

Many companies in Indonesia already have completed sustainability reporting (SR) in their corporate reporting eventhough the regulation has not required public companies to disclose Integrated Reporting (IR) in their report. Are companies with excellent sustainability reporting ready to release integrated reporting? This question is the main concern of this paper. The published guidelines by IIRC are divided into two categories: guidelines which can be assessed objectively and those that cannot be measured objectively. Content analysis is used for data collection and analysis for annual reports of the companies used as sample in this research. The result of this research showed that companies that won Indonesia Sustainability Reporting Award are ready to disclose Integrated Reporting with few modification which adds the value of their report. The implication of the study for public companies is a encouragement to publish integrated reporting and for researchers is being preliminary research for developing research about integrated report in Indonesia.


2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 906-931 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol A. Adams

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine and explain the complex interrelationships which influence the ability of firms to create value for their providers of finance and other stakeholders (loosely referred to in practice as “integrated thinking”). In doing so it examines the interrelationships between: environmental, social and governance (ESG) risk; delivering on corporate strategy; non-financial corporate reporting; and, board oversight. Design/methodology/approach Interviews were conducted with board chairs and non-executive directors of large listed companies on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (where Boards are required to have a social and ethics sub-committee and approve integrated reports which have been mandatory since 2010) and the Australian Stock Exchange (where Board directors’ liability legislation results in Boards being reluctant to adopt integrated reporting which is voluntary). Findings The research finds that contemporary reporting processes, and in particular those set out in the King III Code and the International Integrated Reporting Framework, influence cognitive frames enhancing board oversight and assisting organisations in managing complexity. This results in increased awareness of the impact of ESG issues together with a broader view of value creation despite investor disinterest. Research limitations/implications A number of avenues of research are suggested to further examine the interrelationships identified. Practical implications The research assists the development of practice and policy by articulating and enhancing the understanding of linkages, which loosely fall under the vague practitioner term “integrated thinking”. Social implications The conceptualisation can inform national and global discussions on the appropriateness of corporate reporting and governance models to achieve sustainable development and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals. Originality/value The paper conceptualises emerging and complex interrelationships. The cross-country comparison allows an assessment of the extent to which different national social contexts with differing governance and reporting frameworks lead to different perspectives on, and approaches to, value creation.


2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 71-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anet M. Smit ◽  
Johan van Zyl

This study investigated the extent to which banks in South Africa report on remuneration and incentives according to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) guidelines. The study was done by examining the annual integrated reports of eight commercial banks listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange. Content analysis was used as the research method in this empirical study. There was, on average, 75% compliance to G4-51 a, the standard concerning remuneration policies by the integrated reports studied and 69% compliance to G4-52 a, the standard concerning the process for determining remuneration. There was a very low degree of compliance to standard G-53 a and standard G4-55 a, which concern how stakeholders’ views are sought and taken into account regarding remuneration and the ratios regarding compensation, respectively. Two of the standards had no compliance at all. They are G4-51 b and G4-54 a that respectively, concerns how the performance criteria in the remuneration policy relate to the highest governance bodies’ and senior executives’ economic, environmental and social objectives and the ratio of the annual total compensation for the organization’s highest-paid individual in each country of significant operations to the median annual total compensation for all employees. These are two of the most important standards in order to reach the objective of social responsibility reporting with regards to remuneration and that serious consideration must be given as to why there is no compliance. Based on the findings from this study, it is found that social reporting by the banks listed on the JSE with regards to remuneration, as indicated by the GRI G4, are relatively poor. Keywords: sustainability reporting, sustainable development, global reporting initiative, integrated reporting; remuneration and incentives, corporate social responsibility, banking industry, South Africa. JEL Classification: M14, N2, N27, M52


2011 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ben Marx ◽  
Vanessa Van Dyk

Organisations are increasingly realising that they are members of a wider community and must therefore behave in a responsible manner. The boards of directors of organisations play a critical role in ensuring that companies conduct their business in a responsible and sustainable manner, and in providing accurate, reliable and credible reporting to their stakeholders.The objective of the paper is twofold: to provide a brief overview of the development of corporate citizenship, sustainability and sustainability reporting and the board’s role in this regard; and, secondly, to provide evidence regarding the board’s commitment to sustainability as disclosed in a company’s sustainability reporting. This is achieved through a literature review of current corporate governance and sustainability developments and practices. This review is supported by empirical evidence obtained from assessing the sustainability reporting of companies through a content analysis of the annual reports of companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange Limited’s Socially Responsible Index. The study found that sustainability and sustainability reporting are widely researched and advocated in the literature, and that companies report a commitment to sustainability, but that these reports lack specific detail concerning the board’s responsibility for and commitment to sustainability.


2014 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anria S. Van Zyl

This article aims to determine if the adoption of Integrated Reporting by large private sector companies in South Africa has led to an improvement in the quality of sustainability-related information disclosed. This was done in two stages. The first stage comprised a literature review with the aim to develop an evaluation matrix that can be used to access the quality of the sustainability-related information being disclosed within Integrated Reports. During the second stage, empirical evidence was obtained by assessing the sustainability reporting disclosures made by the best performers according to the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) Sustainability Index. The Integrated Reporting process is still in the development phase with many companies only now developing methodologies to measure their various impacts. The study found that, although many companies are attempting or claiming to be creating Integrated Reports, the level of integration is still very low. Few companies have incorporated or understood the importance of environmental and social sustainability in achieving long-term success. It is hoped that this research will provide an evaluation matrix to assess the information disclosed within Integrated Reports as well as provide insights into the implementation challenges experienced by the early adopters in South Africa.


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