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.

Corporate Social Responsibility Commitment and Environmental Disclosures Quality: Study of the French Context

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 305-320
Author(s):  
Zouhaira Khelil- Rhouma ◽  
Mounira Hamed- Sidhom
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Environmental Reporting ◽  
Environmental Disclosure ◽  
Industrial Firms ◽  
Proactive Approach ◽  
Environmental Disclosures ◽  
Corporate Social

The aim of this study is to examine the effect of firms’ corporate social responsibility commitment (CSR) on the quality of their environmental reporting. The proactive approach of the legitimacy theory is retained to formulate our expectations. We develop a multidimensional content analysis index used to apprehend environmental disclosure faithfulness dimensions. The variance analysis is applied to these indicators classified according to the variables of CSR commitment for a sample of French industrial firms listed in the SBF120 index. The study confirms the proactive approach of legitimacy. It provides empirical evidence in the French context that firms use environmental reporting for accountability with a substantial legitimation strategy. Indeed, most CSR committed sampled firms disclose in their annual reports more comprehensive mandatory environmental information and more abundant and precise voluntary information than others. They also tend to introduce more statements to justify the credibility of their disclosures than less committed firms.

scholarly journals The incidence and quality of graphs in annual reports: A South African analysis of graph disclosure in state-owned entities

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anees Kathrada ◽  
Yaeesh Yasseen ◽  
Zakiyyah Varachia
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Impression Management ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Annual Report ◽  
African State ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
The Public ◽  
Finance Management ◽  
The Impact

Background: South African state-owned entities (SOEs) have become synonymous with issues such as poor service delivery and wasteful expenditure. State-owned entities are accountable to various stakeholders with the annual report viewed as an accountability mechanism. Given the different components of the annual report, this provides management with the opportunity to use different elements to present a better image of the SOE. Some elements that can be used to manipulate information are graphs.Aim: The purpose of this study was to analyse the use of graphs in the annual reports of SOEs and to conclude whether SOEs use graphs to manipulate information presented.Setting: The annual reports of the 277 SOEs included in the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) schedules as of 31 March 2018 were analysed.Methods: This study followed a quantitative research method. Content analysis is used to identify impression management techniques used in the graphs of SOEs.Results: The findings indicate that 64% of SOEs present graphs in their annual reports, with non-financial graphs being disclosed more than financial graphs. Using the graph discrepancy index (GDI), it was found that SOEs tend to overstate data trends more than understating trends resulting in a better image of the SOE being presented. The presentational features of graphs were not used excessively to influence users.Conclusion: Graphs appear to be used as a form of impression management to manage users’ perceptions of SOEs. Given the impact of the annual report on users’ decision, the distortion of graph may impact the decisions taken.

Environmental disclosure quality: examining the impact of the stock exchange of Malaysia’s listing requirements

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 904-922 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.H. Fatima ◽  
Norhayati Abdullah ◽  
Maliah Sulaiman
Keyword(s):  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Listed Companies ◽  
Mandatory Reporting ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Disclosure Quality ◽  
Environmental Reporting ◽  
Environmental Disclosure ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Environmentally Sensitive

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to investigate the environmental disclosure (ED) quality of public-listed companies (PLCs) in environmentally sensitive industries (ESI) in Malaysia in 2005 and 2009 (two years before and two years after the mandatory corporate social responsibility (CSR) requirement of Bursa Malaysia (BM)). BM (The Stock Exchange of Malaysia) has made CSR, including ED in annual reports mandatory since 2007. This study compares environmental reporting (ER) before and after the 2007 mandatory reporting requirement to determine if this command and control mechanism has had any effect on the quality of ED. Design/methodology/approach – The quality of ED was measured using a disclosure quality index adapted from various prior studies. The index consists of a total of 46 disclosure items grouped into 9 categories. Content analysis was utilized to extract data from the annual reports of 164 PLCs in ESI. Findings – Overall, the quality of ED improved in 2009 from that of 2005. More importantly, companies disclosed more quantitative environmental information in 2009 than in 2005. However, the average quality of ED was still low in 2009 compared to the overall potential score. Results provide some support for legitimacy as well as institutional theories. Research limitations/implications – The sample of the study consisted of listed companies in ESI only; the results cannot be generalized to other companies in non-environmentally sensitive sectors. Practical implications – Prior studies that used data before the mandatory CSR requirement by BM found ED in annual reports mainly declarative in nature, generally low on quality and with little quantifiable data. The results of the present study provide evidence of the positive impact of mandatory environmental reporting on ED quality. Originality/value – The use of a multi-theoretical perspective may offer a more meaningful explanation of ER behavior in Malaysia. The results of the study would provide the impetus for regulatory agencies in developing countries to perhaps consider legislating ER. The findings provide some evidence to support the influence of legitimacy and institutional factors behind improved ED of Malaysian PLCs. This outcome exhibits a positive influence on the government efforts in promoting sustainability. Finally, the study contributes to present a more up-to-date account of environmental commitment undertaken by Malaysian corporations through their environmental reporting, after the CSR mandatory listing requirement took effect in 2007.

scholarly journals Visual trends in the annual report: the case of Ericsson 1947-2016

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 312-325 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emelie Havemo
Keyword(s):  
Impression Management ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Annual Report ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Corporate Disclosure ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Visual Research ◽  
Visual Research Methods ◽  
Visual Elements ◽  
Reporting Practice

PurposeDisclosure research has argued that visuals are increasingly used in annual reports as a way to increase readability of the annual report, but comparatively little is known about of diagrams compared to graphs and photographs. The purpose of this paper is to provide a historical account of visuals use in corporate disclosure, with an emphasis on diagrams, to show changes from the 1940s until present-day reporting.Design/methodology/approachVisual research methods were applied to analyze how diagrams, photographs and graphs were used in 69 annual reports of the Swedish telecom company Ericsson.FindingsPhotographs have been used with increasing frequency since the 1950s. Graph and diagram use has increased significantly since the 1990s while photograph use remained stable, suggesting that graphs and diagrams increasingly complement photographs for visually representing the organization in corporate disclosure. Factors explaining the case company’s development include both internal (performance, individual preferences, shifting from a manufacturing-based strategy to a service-based strategy) and external (legislation, transformation of the telecom industry).Originality/valueVisual elements in annual reports are increasingly oriented toward immaterial representations of the organization’s standings and identity and diagrams are increasingly used and contribute to this. This finding motivates further research about diagram use in corporate communication, such as how different diagram types convey accounting messages, and whether diagrams serve as impression management devices. For regulators, it will be important to follow the emerging trend of diagram use, since it is becoming part of reporting practice.

scholarly journals Application of stakeholder theory to corporate environmental disclosures

2009 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 394-410 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pamela Kent ◽  
Christopher Chan
Keyword(s):  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Stakeholder Theory ◽  
Mission Statement ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Dimensional Model ◽  
Three Dimensional Model ◽  
Environmental Disclosures ◽  
Significant Support

Ullmann’s (1985) three-dimensional model of social responsibility disclosure is tested to determine whether it can be operationalized to help explain the quantity and quality of environmental disclosures in Australian annual reports. The stakeholder power dimension of Ullmann’s framework is significant in explaining environmental disclosures while content of the mission statement and existence or otherwise of environmental or social responsibility committees also find strong statistically significant support in the results. Ullmanns’ stakeholder theory has previously been applied to explain social disclosures in general (Roberts, 1992) and is an important theory because it introduces a measure of strategy. The current paper demonstrates how this theory can be applied to a specific social disclosure using variables that are idiosyncratically applicable to the types of disclosures.

An examination of the quality of social and environmental disclosures by Nigerian oil companies

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 400-419 ◽  
Author(s):  
Odhiambo Odera ◽  
Albert Scott ◽  
Jeff Gow
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Oil Companies ◽  
Environmental Disclosures ◽  
Oil Company ◽  
A Company ◽  
Tests For Normality

Purpose This study seeks to examine the quantity and quality of social and environmental disclosures (SEDs) of Nigerian oil companies. The study aims to analyse SED activities as reported by the oil companies in their annual reports. Design/methodology/approach The study analyses annual reports through content analysis. SED quantity is measured by alternative two units: number of sentences and number of pages. A two-point scale system to assess SED quality is used as follows: 1 = if SED is quantitative and reports specific activities of a company concerning its social and environmental responsibility; 0 = otherwise. Correlation analysis is performed among the different SED categories to identify the relationships among them. Kolmongrov–Smirnov and Shapiro–Wilk tests for normality are utilised. Findings SED activities are reported by most of the companies, and by quantity, employee information is found to be the most common type of disclosure. SED quantity and quality in the environment category is found to be overwhelmingly low despite the large-scale public concern expressed about the levels of the environmental degradation caused by oil company operations. Research limitations/implications The data collected for this study are based on one country, which controls diversity but limits the generalizability of the findings. The study is limited by the sample which includes mainly quoted companies, as they are believed to make improved disclosures because of their investor orientation and statutory obligations. Originality/value The study extends SED research by focusing on social disclosures such as employee-, community- and health- and safety-related disclosures. The study also investigates the motivations of SED providers and establishes a link between stakeholder demands/engagement and the level of disclosure.

scholarly journals Community disclosures in a developing country: insights from a neo-pluralist perspective

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 452-482 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teerooven Soobaroyen ◽  
Jyoti Devi Mahadeo
Keyword(s):  
Impression Management ◽  
Community Involvement ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Annual Report ◽  
Qualitative Assessment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Environmental Disclosures ◽  
Management Techniques ◽  
Local Companies ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyse changes in community disclosures by listed companies in Mauritius. Design/methodology/approach – The authors carried out a quantitative and qualitative assessment of annual report disclosures over the period 2004-2010. In particular, the authors consider the influence of a corporate governance code and a government intervention to first persuade and subsequently mandate corporate social responsibility investment (known as a “CSR Levy”). Findings – From a predominantly limited and neutral form of communication, narratives of community involvement morph into assertive and rhetorical statements, emphasising commitment, permanency and an intimate connection to the community and a re-organisation of activities and priorities which seek to portray structure and order in the way companies deliver community interventions. Informed by Gray et al.’s (1995) neo-pluralist framework and documentary evidence pertaining to the country’s social, political and economic context, the authors relate the change in disclosures to the use of corporate impression management techniques with a view to maintain legitimacy and to counter the predominant public narrative on the insufficient extent of community involvement by local companies. Research limitations/implications – The authors find that community disclosures are not only legitimating mechanisms driven by international pressures but are also the result of local tensions and expectations. Originality/value – This study provides evidence on forms of “social” – as opposed to environmental – disclosures. Furthermore, it examines a unique setting where a government enacted a legally binding regime for greater corporate social involvement.

scholarly journals Financial Impact on the Accountability of Malaysian State Islamic Religious Councils (SIRC)

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 21-38
Author(s):  
Rosnia Masruki ◽  
Khaled Hussainey ◽  
Doaa Aly
Keyword(s):  
Voluntary Disclosure ◽  
Regression Models ◽  
Annual Report ◽  
Control Variable ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Financial Report ◽  
Financial Characteristics

This paper aims to identify whether Malaysian State Islamic Religious Councils (SIRC) financial characteristics have a significant impact on the accountability of Malaysian State Islamic Religious Councils (SIRC). A content analysis approach was used to examine the extent and quality of disclosure in the annual reports of SIRC, indicating accountability of SIRCs. This paper used the self-developed disclosure index that applies specifically for SIRC. Multiple regression was used to examine the financial determinants of the extent and quality of disclosure. The result of the regression models revealed that the extent and quality of SIRC disclosure is influenced by organisational characteristic, namely size. This study suggests that disclosure in the annual report, in particular the non-financial performance, increases with the amount of zakat collection, thereby demonstrating SIRC’s responsibility. Next, the control variable of accessibility is found to be significantly related to financial statements. Obliged to produce financial statements, SIRC are more likely to disclose more information in the financial statements. This research finding has important implications for regulators, policy makers and top officials in SIRC, by monitoring the quality of disclosure, supporting the notion of public accountability, which appreciates the public’s right to get inform about SIRC. Despite the voluntary disclosure of a non-financial report, SIRC should consider producing a comprehensive annual report for the discharge of their accountability and thus, encourage more funding. They should be more transparent to enhance accessibility, concerning the extent and quality of the disclosure.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document