scholarly journals Sustainability Reporting of REIT Companies in Malaysia

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 403-408
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Sustainability ◽  
Sustainability Reporting ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Real Estate Investment Trust ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Social Aspects ◽  
Reporting Framework ◽  
Sustainability Disclosure ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
Active Contribution

Although there is growing awareness of corporate social responsibility, sustainability reporting is still not commonly practiced by companies in Malaysia. Sustainability reporting consists of three dimensions, which include economic, environmental and social sustainability disclosure. The objective of the present study is to examine the extensiveness of sustainability reporting by 17 public listed real estate investment trust (REIT) companies. REIT sector has been chosen because it is closely related to construction activities, which could affect the environment but still plays an important role in boosting the country’s economic growth. Besides, sustainability reporting of REIT companies will also be examined based on application level of GRI. GRI is a corporate sustainability reporting framework that provides various indicators to measure these aspects comprehensively. The findings from content analysis reveals that economic aspect is highly disclosed as compared to environmental and social aspects of sustainability reporting by REIT companies. It also shows that REIT companies in Malaysia do not apply GRI in annual reports for sustainability reporting as they fail to achieve minimum application level of GRI. As there are only a few papers investigating the use of GRI for sustainability reporting by REIT sector in Malaysia, the findings from this study contribute to increase awareness among companies in REIT sector to make active contribution and increase their disclosure for economic, environmental and social aspects. Additionally, the regulators have the responsibility to enforce rules and regulations for higher disclosure of sustainability information as one mean of delivering accountability to wider stakeholders

Assessing current company reports according to the IIRC integrated reporting framework

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 305-333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Merve Kılıç ◽  
Cemil Kuzey
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Sustainability ◽  
Sustainability Reporting ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Global Reporting Initiative ◽  
Integrated Reporting ◽  
Adherence Level ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Reporting Practices ◽  
Reporting Framework ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This paper aims to investigate the adherence level of current company reports to the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC) integrated reporting framework through analysis of whether and to what extent those reports include the content elements of this framework. This study also aims to examine the impact of corporate sustainability characteristics on the adherence level of current company reports to the integrated reporting framework. Design/methodology/approach The sample for this research comprises the non-financial companies which were listed on Borsa Istanbul, the Turkish stock exchange, as of 31 December 2015. The authors constructed a disclosure index based on the content elements of the IIRC reporting framework. They then measured the integrated reporting disclosure score (IRS) of each company through a manual content analysis of its annual reports and stand-alone sustainability reports. To test the hypotheses, the authors performed a number of statistical analyses. Findings The authors determined that current company reports mainly present generic risks rather than company-specific; provide positive information while dismissing negative information; present financial and non-financial initiatives separately; lack a strategic focus; and include backward-looking information rather than forward-looking information. Consistent with the predictions, the authors found that the IRS is significantly and positively associated with sustainability reporting, Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) adoption, sustainability index listing and the presence of a sustainability committee. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature by enhancing the understanding of integrated reporting practices through the application of a checklist based upon the IIRC integrated reporting framework. Further, this study contributes to the literature by evaluating the impact of corporate sustainability characteristics on IRS.

scholarly journals Corporate sustainability reporting by pharmaceutical companies: Is it what it seems to be?

2013 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 754-764 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Istiaq Azim ◽  
Saiful Azam
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Sustainability ◽  
Sustainability Reporting ◽  
Document Management ◽  
Social Reporting ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Pharmaceutical Companies ◽  
Corporate Social Reporting ◽  
Csr Disclosure ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
Further Development

A well-functioning pharmaceutical industry can contribute directly to social wellbeing. Corporate sustainability is an important precondition for the further development and growth of the industry. In this research multi methods are used to provide a complete, holistic and contextual portrait of the level of CSR by pharmaceutical companies in a developing country - Bangladesh. Firstly, we used content analysis to investigate corporate social reporting by listed pharmaceutical companies. Secondly, we conducted surveys to document management responses. Thirdly, we sought stakeholders’ views on the extent to which they believe CSR is being implemented in the industry. Analysis of annual reports published in 2009- 2010 shows that only 26.67% of listed pharmaceutical companies made some CSR disclosure. However, more than seventy-five per cent of these disclosures are sweeping qualitative statements without any attempt at quantification. Most managers believe social reporting should strike a balance between meeting stakeholders’ reasonable expectations and running a successful business. The majority of stakeholders appear to favour mandatory requirements for CSR disclosure.

scholarly journals Approaches on the Screening Methods for Materiality in Sustainability Reporting

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 3233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susie Wu ◽  
Changliang Shao ◽  
Jiquan Chen
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Sustainability ◽  
Accounting Standards ◽  
Social Sustainability ◽  
Sustainability Reporting ◽  
Global Reporting Initiative ◽  
Screening Methods ◽  
Comparison Study ◽  
Life Cycle Perspective ◽  
Sustainability Disclosure ◽  
Different Levels

Recent decades have seen a surge in corporate sustainability reports (SRs); their proliferation, however, does not ensure effective and consistent reporting on materiality. To improve the completeness, consistency and uniformity of SRs, this study aims at providing a review on the definition and identification of materiality and to propose screening methods for materiality assessments using publicly available resources. We found that most acknowledged standards and initiatives diverge in their definitions and approaches towards materiality. Four screening methods are proposed, including two that are directly usable: (1) Sustainability Accounting Standards Board Materiality Map™ and (2) Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Sustainability Topics for Sectors; and two involving more desktop research: (3) GRI’s Sustainability Disclosure Database and (4) modeling from a life-cycle perspective. The second and third approaches are tested through a comparison study for the apparel and energy industries in selected regions using content analysis. The results indicate that the two approaches, with different levels of complexity, yield inconsistency in obtaining the most (i.e., the top three) material topics. The GRI’s Sustainability Disclosure Database is recommended for practitioners due to its balanced disclosure on management, economic, environmental and social sustainability themes.

scholarly journals Independent board of directors and corporate sustainability: A South African and Nigerian perspective

2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-68
Author(s):  
Collins Ngwakwe ◽  
Fortune Ganda ◽  
Oladele John Akinyomi
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
South African ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Corporate Sustainability ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Independent Directors ◽  
Environmental Reporting ◽  
Sustainability Disclosure

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

Factors influencing corporate sustainability disclosure practices: empirical evidence from Indian National Stock Exchange

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kishore Kumar ◽  
Ranjita Kumari ◽  
Archana Poonia ◽  
Rakesh Kumar
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Information Disclosure ◽  
Corporate Sustainability ◽  
Sustainability Reporting ◽  
Free Cash Flow ◽  
Government Ownership ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Flow Capacity ◽  
Sustainability Disclosure ◽  
The Impact

Purpose This study aims to evaluate the nature and extent of sustainability disclosure practices of publicly listed companies in India. Further, it investigates the impact of potential determinants on the sustainability disclosure of companies. Design/methodology/approach The study analyzes data of 75 top listed nonbanking companies operating in India included in NIFTY100 Index for the years 2014-2015 to 2018-2019. In the present study, environment, social and governance disclosure dimensions were considered to evaluate the sustainability reporting performance of companies using content analysis. Panel data analysis was conducted to investigate the impact of various factors on the extent of sustainability information disclosure. Findings Results indicate that environmentally polluting industries disclose significantly higher sustainability information than non-polluting industries in India. The empirical findings suggest that determinants such as company size, age, free cash flow capacity, government ownership and global reporting initiative (GRI) usage positively related to the extent of corporate sustainability disclosure. Contrary to the expectations, financial leverage and profitability were found to be negatively related to the sustainability disclosure of companies in India. Practical implications This study provides empirical evidence for regulators, practitioners and corporate strategists to assess the progress in the sustainability reporting landscape in India. The finding implies that large and established companies can reduce legitimacy costs through higher sustainability information disclosure. Interestingly, this premise did not hold in the case of high leveraged and profitable companies. Overall findings can also help policymakers to incorporate necessary reforms to improve sustainability reporting in India. Originality/value This study is one of the first studies to investigate the nature, extent and potential determinants of corporate sustainability disclosure in India. The paper adds to the existing literature on sustainability reporting by providing empirical evidence on the relationship between sustainability reporting and potential determinants such as government ownership, size, leverage, profitability, age, free cash flow capacity, industry and GRI usage.

The Determinants of Sustainability Reporting of the Portuguese Public Sector Entities

2019 ◽  
pp. 653-678
Author(s):  
Maria da Conceição C. Tavares ◽  
Lúcia Lima Rodrigues
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Public Sector ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Sustainability Reporting ◽  
Global Reporting Initiative ◽  
Sustainability Disclosure ◽  
Sustainability Reports ◽  
Csr Disclosure ◽  
Corporate Social

Based on legitimacy and on stakeholder theories, this study analyses the level of disclosure of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the sustainability reports of the Portuguese public sector entities for the years 2008 and 2012, prepared in accordance with the guidelines of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). The authors also aim to determine the factors that influence this level of disclosure. Using content analysis, an index of CSR disclosure was constructed based on the sustainability reports of 58 public sector entities. It was concluded that the level of sustainability disclosure is related to the organisation's size, industry, awards and certifications received, and visibility measured in terms of consumer proximity. This study offers new empirical evidence of a different context – public sector entities in Portugal, providing valuable insights into the factors that explain CSR disclosures in public sector entities.

Corporate Sustainability

2016 ◽  
pp. 291-306
Author(s):  
Taranjit Kaur
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Corporate Sustainability ◽  
Sustainability Reporting ◽  
Future Generation ◽  
Major Stakeholder ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
The Cost

Everyone talks about corporate social responsibility when there is discussion on the profitability issue. As the society is the major stakeholder in any corporate, it is natural duty of the concerned company to full fill its responsibility towards the society. There are many issues which can be included in the corporate social responsibility but the question arise is that what will happen if a company don't focus on sustainability. The obvious answer is that without sustainability, the fulfilment of certain types of social responsibility activities by the company will not provide the true advantage of the CSR to the society. It can be put in this way that at the cost of long term benefits of the society, the short term benefits are provided if sustainability is sacrificed. The future generation will cry like anything for the loss we are making today. This paper is aimed to discuss the Corporate Sustainability Reporting through case study of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).

The determinants of corporate social responsibility disclosure: evidence from Vietnam’s listed companies in chemical industry

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nguyen Thuy Anh ◽  
Hue Ly Tran ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Chemical Industry ◽  
Listed Companies ◽  
International Standards ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Reporting Framework ◽  
Chemical Companies ◽  
Csr Disclosure ◽  
Corporate Social

This paper aims to observe corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure and to identify the determinants of CSR disclosure (CSRD) of Vietnam’s listed companies in chemical industry from 2014 to 2017. A rating system was built by incorporating the comprehensive Global Reporting Initiatives (GRI) reporting framework to measure firm’s CSR disclosure. The financial data was collected from FiinPro and manually collected from annual reports. The findings show that CSRD in Vietnam’s chemical companies is still inadequate, and most of the firm disclosure is far below the international standards. In addition, it is found that firm size, profitability and female board members have a positive correlation with CSR disclosure. On the other hand, CEO gender has a significant relationship with CSR disclosure. The results strengthen the previous studies and give more detailed implications to managers in this industry.

Consequences of corporate sustainability reporting: evidence from an emerging market

2020 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 243-265
Author(s):  
RMNC Swarnapali
Keyword(s):  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Firm Value ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Earnings Quality ◽  
Corporate Sustainability ◽  
Market Value ◽  
Sustainability Reporting ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sustainability Disclosure

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to discover whether corporate sustainability disclosure has a potential impact on the market value and earnings quality of firms in an emerging market. Design/methodology/approach The data were collected from 220 companies listed in the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) in Sri Lanka during the period 2012-2016. Firm value proxies by Tobin’s Q, while earnings quality proxies by discretionary accruals (DAC). The study is premised on value-enhancing theory for firm value and transparent financial reporting perspective for earnings quality. Regression analyses are executed on the panel data to achieve the study objectives. Findings The results reveal a positive relationship between sustainability reporting (SR) and firm market value, accepting the value-enhancing theory while rejecting the value-destroying theory. This finding suggests that investors pay a premium in the financial markets for firms that perform in an environmentally and socially responsible manner, compared to firms that do not perform in a similar manner. In the same vein, the results reveal that sustainability disclosure and DAC are negatively and significantly associated, resulting in high-quality earnings. The result is consistent with the transparent financial reporting hypothesis, which is also in line with the managers’ integrity motivation. Originality/value This is the first study investigating the consequences of SR that is specific to the Sri Lankan context. Owing to the sparse studies on consequences of SR, this study contributes significantly to the extant literature by broadening the geographical coverage to include a developing country setting.

Corporate sustainability disclosure’s importance in China: financial analysts’ perception

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (8) ◽  
pp. 1169-1189
Author(s):  
Jhunru Zhang ◽  
Hadrian Geri Djajadikerta ◽  
Terri Trireksani
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Sustainability ◽  
Financial Analysts ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Sustainability Reporting ◽  
Global Reporting Initiative ◽  
Environmental Aspect ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Sustainability Disclosure ◽  
The Social ◽  
Level Of Importance

Purpose Corporate sustainability in China has become a subject of increasing international concern. Corporate sustainability disclosure (CSD) is considered a useful tool to facilitate the empowerment and acknowledgement of stakeholders in the quest for sustainability. However, the degree of cultural and political influences for being sustainably orientated can be significantly different between countries. This study aims to examine the perception of financial analysts, as CSD report users, in China about the level of importance of various indicators of corporate sustainability described in the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Sustainability Reporting Guidelines. Design/methodology/approach A set of questionnaires was developed based on GRI G4 guidelines to measure the perception of financial analysts in China on the level of importance of each sustainability indicator described in the GRI G4. A five-point Likert scale was used to measure the report users’ perceptions of each of the indicators. Findings The findings of this study increase our understanding of how Chinese CSD report users perceive corporate sustainability differently from the GRI guidelines. The main results show that the environmental aspect of sustainability was seen to be important in China, followed by the social and economic aspects. Indicator-wise, “water”, “effluents and waste”, “emissions”, “compliance” and “energy” were perceived as vital in the environmental category, while “customer health and safety”, “customer privacy” and “compliance” were considered significant in the social category. Originality/value This study addresses the need for differing corporate sustainability guidelines for different nations and cultures, specifically within the Chinese context. It also contributes to the corporate sustainability literature by adding to our understanding of how financial analysts in China, as CSD report users, perceive aspects of sustainability.

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