scholarly journals The relationship between annual and sustainability, environmental and social reports

2015 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 979-993 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristian Carini ◽  
Elisa Chiaf

This paper is based on the consideration that information transparency and accountability are not only related to the increase of spread information but also to the improvement of the organizational clarity with which the information is conveyed through the periodic reports. The development of an effective communicative behaviour is linked to a good use of the periodical reports – the narrative section of the annual report and social, environmental and sustainability reports – with reference to their adequate completeness and integration. Empirical research emphasizes the importance of information increase, e.g. information on products, processes, strategies, risks, social-environmental impacts, intangibles assets, and so on. As to this, in the last years focused reports on specific subjects have increasingly been made public: in this, social, environmental and sustainability reports (SES) have played a very important role. At the same time, content of the annual report has been extended by the introduction of disclosure about social and environmental issues. In such a context, scarce attention was paid to the different reports’ integration and to the possibility that there could be information repetition. More disclosure could be positive for the reduction of information asymmetry but lack of integration of reports and information redundancy could reduce transparency, without being useful for the readers’ knowledge. By means of a disclosure-scoring system, the aim of this paper is the analysis of the relationship between the content of the annual reports and of the SES reports. To quantify the degree of reports’ completeness and integration a disclosure index has been established. Reports of year 2014 have been analysed. To better understand the companies’ communicative behaviour a specific industry is selected. Extractive petroleum companies are analysed because of their relevant environmental and social impact. In addition to this, previous researches demonstrate that petroleum companies have transparent communication behaviour. Finally, there are specific guidelines for their SES reports’ drafting. The analysis will allow the identification of some communication models and will provide possible response in order to combine the need for more information with the communication tools’ integration. This study could also be a first response to evaluate the potentialities and criticalities of the adoption of the integrated reporting.

Author(s):  
Niaz Mohammad

Integrated reporting (IR) is a new form of corporate reporting that has emerged after decades of calls by academics and practitioners for more holistic and integrated corporate reporting on the economic, environmental, and social aspects of business. The present research relied on a critical review of the literature on IR practices and sustainability reporting. Indexed journals were reviewed, and evidence was drawn upon to develop a model examining the possible determinants of IR in annual reports. To this end, reports from 20 different banks from 2012 to 2017 were considered. Analyzing the financial statements of these banks through their annual reports provided insightful disclosures concerning triple bottom lines (social, environmental, and economic); the findings of the study suggested that very few banks have taken initiatives to disclose such information in their annual reports. Using annual report content analysis, the findings showed that in 2017, companies started providing non-financial information regarding the environment, society, and governance along with financial figures. However, it is noteworthy that companies still provide this information in disconnected strands and as part of corporate governance or corporate social responsibility disclosures instead of linking such information to financial information and providing it within integrated reports.


2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 83-101
Author(s):  
Cameron McKay

During the late nineteenth and early twentieth century penologists began to explore the possibility that environment and upbringing, as opposed to individual choice, were the causes criminality. The Prison Commissioners for Scotland, the devolved body who administered prisons north of the border, were not immune to this wider trend. Smith has argued that from the 1890s onwards the Commissioners began to accept that criminality was caused by social problems, namely alcoholism, but also parental neglect, poor education and poverty. In their efforts to test these new criminological theories, the Commissioners began to make more careful enquiries into the backgrounds of their charges. From 1896 to 1931 the Commissioners interviewed a sample of prisoners each year and included the findings in their annual report. Although the main focus of these interviews was on the upbringing and drinking habits of prisoners; by the 1900s the Commissioners seem to have added irreligion to the growing list of etiological causes of crime, and from 1903 onwards prisoners were asked to give details on their religious habits. Although it is debateable how much the Prison Commissioners revealed about the relationship between religion and crime, they did however provide a useful insight into the religiosity of the average prisoner.


2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 61-83 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard Slack ◽  
Matthias Munz

Purpose – A change in leadership can signal a shift in corporate strategy to drive future value creation. To help achieve this, a different emphasis may be placed upon the intellectual capital (IC) resources within the organisation. The purpose of this paper is to examine the changes in volume, composition and emphasis of IC disclosure in annual reports mapped against the re-orientation of corporate strategy and associated leadership change. Design/methodology/approach – A longitudinal period of over three decades (1979-2010) is examined. Adopting a case-based approach, Daimler AG is purposively selected for this research having a number of distinct changes in strategy over the period, reflective of leadership change. Using content analysis, annual report IC-related disclosures (structural, relational and human capital) by Daimler AG are examined, by category and more detailed sub-categories, against corporate strategy. Findings – The composition and emphasis of IC disclosures found in the annual reports changes over the longitudinal period and is reflective of the prevailing corporate strategy at that time. There were four identified periods of strategy, each associated with leadership change. The prevalence and qualitative focus of IC disclosures relevant to each period reflects the importance of respective IC components in corporate value creation. Research limitations/implications – The research is based on annual report IC disclosures within one case company and hence reflect the messages conveyed by that company over the longitudinal period. Additionally, the authors recognise that the annual report is only one source of corporate information, but as a historic record it serves to consistently capture management disclosure over a long-time period. Future research, adopting an econometric approach, could further test the linkages between leadership change, strategic shift and IC-related disclosure. Practical implications – The research reveals how IC-related disclosure shifts to reflect leadership and strategic change within a case company. Through such disclosure, the authors are able to gain greater insight into how a specific business seeks to create value drawing on the components of IC underpinning corporate strategy. Originality/value – The research provides new insights into IC disclosure by mapping its content and emphasis against changes in corporate strategy. This has contemporary significance due to the wider disclosure debate concerning strategy and value creation in the annual report, for instance through integrated reporting. Further, the research shows the value of annual reports for longitudinal disclosure research.


2003 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 765-784
Author(s):  
F Naudé ◽  
A Du Toit

The Internet is a cost-effective and efficient way of distributing information to  all stakeholders in a transparent, globalised business environment. The aim of  this study was to determine the current state and level of adoption of the Internet  as a delivery and communication mechanism for disseminating online/digital  annual reports in the largest listed companies in South Africa. The population  selected for the survey was the 2001 Financial Mail top 300 (SA Giants)  companies. The research was conducted by analysing the corporate websites of  the selected companies, to establish the existence of a corporate website and  whether the full annual report was available electronically. The study also  investigated the relationship between digital annual reports and company  characteristics. The investigation revealed that those companies with websites  and digital annual reports are profitable companies.


2014 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 76-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peni Nugraheni ◽  
Hairul Azlan Anuar

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate and compare the extent of voluntary disclosure in the annual reports of Shariah- and non–Shariah-compliant companies in Indonesia. Further, the study examines the relationship between voluntary disclosure and company characteristics (i.e. size of company, profitability, type of auditor, type of industry and ownership structure). Design/methodology/approach – Voluntary disclosure was measured using a disclosure index with 30 items and content analysis of the 2009 annual report. Statistical analysis included descriptive, Mann–Whitney U and regression. Findings – The result revealed that there is a statistically significant difference in the quantity and quality of voluntary disclosure value of Shariah- and non–Shariah-compliant companies. For regression results, the company size significantly influences the quantity of voluntary disclosure while the quality of voluntary disclosure is affected by company size and type of industry. Research limitations/implications – Although this study only analyses voluntary disclosure in the annual report for a single year (2009), it is hoped to provide a description of the voluntary disclosure in Shariah- and non–Shariah-compliant companies. Practical implications – The findings might be used by regulators to set regulations that encourage the quantity and quality of disclosure practice of Shariah-compliant companies to expand the scope of disclosure related to religious activities. Originality/value – This study measures voluntary disclosure using the disclosure index based on Indonesian regulations and the quantity and quality measurement of Shariah-compliant companies, which may differ from previous Indonesian studies.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mai Mohammed Alm El-Din ◽  
Atef Mohammed El-Awam ◽  
Farid Moharram Ibrahim ◽  
Ahmed Hassanein

PurposeThe study explores the relationship between information overloading and the complexity of reporting. In particular, it investigates whether voluntary information in a firm annual report is associated with its readability. Likewise, it examines how a firm's profitability and earnings management practices impact the nexus of voluntary disclosure and readability.Design/methodology/approachIt uses the annual reports of the Egyptian nonfinancial firms listed in the EGX 100 index from 2010 to 2018. The readability of the annual report is measured automatically using the LIX index, and a predeveloped voluntary disclosure index is used to measure the level of voluntary disclosure in the annual reports.FindingsThe results reveal that the readability of annual reports is a negative function of voluntary disclosure, suggesting that Egyptian firms with more voluntary disclosure are likely to have more complex (i.e. less readable) annual reports. Likewise, less profitable firms and firms with earning management practices increase voluntary information in their annual reports, resulting in an adverse impact on their reporting readability.Research limitations/implicationsIt focuses only on the annual reports of Egyptian firms and considers a firm’s overall voluntary information rather than a particular area of voluntary disclosure. It introduces a code to measure the readability of Arabic-written texts, which can be applied to different areas of disclosure.Practical implicationsPolicymakers in Egypt are encouraged to develop enforceable regulations to control voluntary disclosure in annual reports. Egyptian investors should view the practice of higher voluntary disclosure skeptically as its aim may be to divert attention from a firm's poor performance and earnings management practice.Originality/valueThe study is the first evidence from Egypt on the effect of information overloading, proxied by voluntary disclosure, on the readability of reporting. Likewise, it contributes to methodological development in measuring the readability of Arabic-written annual reports.


This chapter investigates the topic of integrated reporting at national level. We demonstrate that a Romanian company, Rosia Montana Gold Corporation, issued in 2010 an Annual Report that can be considered a real prototype of an integrated report. Derived from the need to fulfill the gaps in corporate reporting (lack of non-financial information in the annual reports, organizations' failure in explaining social/environmental/other impacts, aggregation of CSR/environmental/social reports in the annual reports – without any connectivity to the financial performance, etc.), the new IR trend should be shaped by international accounting organizations and accountancy profession. This is one of the few studies that aimed to develop a conceptual model for the integrated report that can be applied by companies intending to implement this reporting practice. The originality of our book results from the various perspectives contained in our model: from the IIRC content elements and principles, to IASB/IFRS implications for integrated reporting. Finally, we strongly believe that the evolution of integrated reporting will end with a common standard issued by IASB/IFRS in cooperation with IIRC, and even European legislation/ or going further- national requirements. Therefore, research on a complex framework for integrated reporting (that has to address both financial and non- financial focus) and provide extended guidelines for an integrated report, should be useful for standard setters – for regulatory purposes, and companies- for a successful implementation of this reporting scheme.


2020 ◽  
pp. 232948842090714
Author(s):  
Keonyoung Park ◽  
Hyejin Kim ◽  
Hyejoon Rim

The study attempts to understand corporations’ efforts to communicate their values and commitment to stakeholders after a crisis. Specifically, the study explores the characteristics of communication efforts that may differ depending on the reputational crisis types: corporate ability (CA) and corporate social responsibility (CSR) crises. Employing a series of semantic network analyses, the study examined the sustainability annual reports of two Korean airlines (i.e., Korean Air and Asiana Airlines) published before and after their recent crises. Results showed how sustainability reports’ central keywords, social issues the companies support, and prioritized stakeholders varied in response to the different types of crises. Word frequency results showed that there was an increasing trend in emphasizing the word “safety” after both types of crisis, while a noticeable decrease in emphasis on the word “ethics” was observed after CA crisis. The results of semantic network analyses showed that Korean Air’s sustainability reports seemed to focus more on aspects of the relationship with stakeholders after the CSR crisis, while Asiana Airlines appeared to place more emphasis on business-related notions after the CA crisis. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.


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.


2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-173
Author(s):  
Saiful Bakhtiar Masduki ◽  
Mohamad Hafizul Mohd Zaid

Integrated reporting is an emerging practice progressively catching the consideration of organizations.The idea of sustainability reporting increased more significance in the companies’ annual report, a patternthat is implanted likewise in integrated reporting. The governance structure all the more precisely the boardof director is the main role to decide whether the company will issue an integrated report. Hence, thepurpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between corporate governance (managerial ownership,family ownership, institutional ownership and government ownership) and consistence of coordinatedintegrated reporting elements disclosure. To achieve this objective, we analysed the way in whichintegrated reports of 30 companies are following the guidance provided by the International IntegratedReporting Framework (IIRF). As a result, we noticed that most annual report scored the highest compliancelevel and consistence with the guidance of the IIRF. In addition, the result also demonstrated institutionalownership and government ownership positively affect and significance integrated reporting elementsdisclosure. Our findings contribute to comprehend the practice of integrated reporting and may havesuggestions for regulators in emerging countries for company sustainability reporting. Keywords: Integrated reporting; Sustainability reporting; Listed companies, Corporate governance


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