Sustainability Reporting and Multilevel Governance

2019 ◽  
pp. 140-162
Author(s):  
Pınar Okan Gokten ◽  
Soner Gokten
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Sustainability Reporting ◽  
Multilevel Governance ◽  
The Other ◽  
Decision Making Process ◽  
Governance Mechanisms ◽  
Integrated Reporting ◽  
Comprehensive Information ◽  
Sustainability Accounting

Providing transparency and accountability can be achieved by efficient governance mechanisms, which need interactive participation of stakeholders in the decision-making process. On the other hand, it is fair to say that traditional reporting is inadequate to inform stakeholders of an organization's activities. Therefore, sustainability accounting has become more popular among authorities and organizations in order to provide comprehensive information which concentrates on value creation and sustainable development. In this chapter, the authors aim to touch on the need of sustainability accounting to support multilevel governance mechanisms by describing the main dimensions of sustainability accounting and integrated reporting.

The Concept of Integrated Reporting

2017 ◽  
pp. 16-22
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Decision Making Process ◽  
Integrated Reporting ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Social And Environmental Impacts

Chapter 3 defines the process of integration, and deeply explains the concept of integrated report. We provide a wide range of literature review sources, for the purpose of establishing the characteristics of integrated reporting. Integrated reports cannot be fully understood until we clarify the meaning of the first word: integrated. This section of the book concentrates on defining the term of integration. Kirkpatrick and Lee (1999) links the notion of integration to sustainable development and economic, social, and environmental impacts on the decision-making process. Krajnc and Glavic (2005) mentions that corporations need to integrate the information related to sustainable development so that it becomes useful for decisions.

scholarly journals The Global Sustainability Index: An Instrument For Assessing The Progress Towards The Sustainable Organization

2015 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
pp. 215-220 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentin Grecu
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Optimal Solution ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Decision Making Process ◽  
Sustainability Index ◽  
Global Sustainability ◽  
Multiple Indicators ◽  
Mathematical Algorithms ◽  
General Indicator

Abstract There is rarely an optimal solution in sustainable development but most frequently a need to build compromises between conflicting aspects such as economic, social and environmental ones and different expectations of stakeholders. Moreover, information is rarely available and precise. This paper will focus on how to use indicators to monitor sustainable development, integrating the information provided by many of them into a complex general sustainability index. Having this general indicator is essential for decision makers as it is very complicated to evaluate the performance of the organization based on multiple indicators. The objective of this paper is to find mathematical algorithms for simplifying the decision-making process by offering an instrument for the evaluation of the sustainability progress.

Board characteristics and the choice between sustainability and integrated reporting: a European analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Girella ◽  
Stefano Zambon ◽  
Paola Rossi
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Voluntary Disclosure ◽  
Sustainability Reporting ◽  
Board Independence ◽  
Corporate Boards ◽  
Integrated Reporting ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Moderating Variables ◽  
Board Characteristics ◽  
Sustainability Report

Purpose The role that the board can have in influencing the adoption of non-financial reporting (NFR) by companies is a topic that has raised interest in the recent literature. However, very few have so far been said on the logic that underpins the selection by corporate boards of a particular model (sustainability and/or integrated). This study aims to examine if and to what extent board characteristics may influence the choice of companies to voluntarily publish a sustainability report, an integrated report or both of them, and if moderating variables, relating to incentives towards corporate transparency, may have an influence. Both of these types of reporting tools are in fact aimed at improving company disclosure towards sustainable development. Design/methodology/approach Through a multi-nomial regression analysis, this study tests the assumptions in a sample of companies listed on the Eurostoxx600 that adopt integrated or sustainability reporting or both of them for the period 2015–2018 for a total of 2,103 firm-years observations. Findings The results reveal that sustainability reporting is associated with board independence only, whilst the adoption of integrated reporting is influenced by board size and board independence. The same two variables influence also those companies that jointly adopt both sustainability and an integrated report. This confirms that integrated reporting requires more competencies and monitoring to be adopted. Furthermore, the results provide evidence that information asymmetry and financial constraints influence the decision of companies to publish the integrated report, sustainability report or both, whilst growth opportunities do not. Hence, moderating variables can have a role in explaining this association, and especially those that are related to the firm’s incentives related to the provision of financial capital by investors. Research limitations/implications This study contributes to the literature in three ways. First, it proposes an incremental analysis of the relationship between board characteristics and voluntary disclosure of integrated reporting, considering the effects of moderating variables on this association. Second, the above relationship is examined in a comparative way vis-à-vis the adoption of sustainability reporting. Third, it demonstrates that the analysis of these reporting tools can benefit from an understanding that relies on both agency and stakeholder theories, that have to be conceived somehow complementary. In terms of limitations, this study is exclusively focussed on larger European listed firms, and therefore, the findings may not be valid for small and medium firms and for companies operating outside Europe. Practical implications This study provides useful insights for managers and policymakers to better understand which are the characteristics of the board composition that can best encourage a company to pursue a reporting strategy based on sustainable development. This results to be particularly relevant and timely in the European context if the authors take into consideration the developments of the European Parliament and Commission towards the launch of a new legislative proposal on sustainable corporate governance in 2021. Originality/value The study contributes to the existing literature in two ways. First, it offers a unique perspective on the direct and indirect effects of board characteristics on the adoption of integrated and/or sustainability reports by examining it in a comparative perspective. Second, it further demonstrates that the analysis of NFR and especially integrated reporting might benefit from the adoption of multiple conceptual lenses, in this case, agency and stakeholder theories.

Energy Sustainability of Countries

2015 ◽  
pp. 96-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evangelos Grigoroudis ◽  
Vassilis S. Kouikoglou ◽  
Yannis A. Phillis
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Energy Development ◽  
The Other ◽  
Energy Sustainability ◽  
Energy Services ◽  
Environmentally Sustainable ◽  
Environmental Requirements ◽  
The One ◽  
Energy Challenge

The provision of adequate, reliable, and affordable energy, in conformity with social and environmental requirements is a vital part of sustainable development. Currently, countries are facing a two-fold energy challenge: on the one hand they should assure the provision of environmentally sustainable energy, while, on the other, energy services should be reliable, affordable, and socially acceptable. To evaluate such aspects of energy services one needs energy sustainability barometers, which provide the means to monitor the impacts of energy policies and assist policymakers in relevant decision making. Although sustainability is an ambiguous, complex, and polymorphous concept, all energy sustainability barometers incorporate the three major sustainability dimensions: social, economic, and environmental. In this chapter, we review three models for assessing the sustainability of energy development of countries: ESI, SAFE, and EAPI. We also present a brief discussion of the results, the applied methodologies, and the underlying assumptions of these sustainability barometers.

scholarly journals Gender-wise contribution in carbon management by high himalayan ethnic group of Gatlang VDC, Rasuwa, Nepal

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 39-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rashila Deshar ◽  
Madan Koirala
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Ethnic Group ◽  
The Other ◽  
Decision Making Process ◽  
Fuel Wood ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Carbon Management ◽  
Input And Output ◽  
Participation In Decision Making ◽  
Major Decision

In mountainous country Nepal having large populations of culturally unique indigenous peoples poses threats of glaciers retreat and resource bases change. The indigenous people living in mountain plays the major role in carbon management. Further, the role and responsibilities of men and women varies differently in natural resource conservation and management. However, their participation in decision-making and benefit sharing is poor. The majority of women have unequal access to productive resources and decision-making process. Therefore, study on gender based agro-pastoral activities, their contribution on carbon management and decision-making process were carried out in Tamang ethnic group of Gatlang VDC of Rasuwa district, Nepal. For the purpose, 30 households were selected purposively. Similarly, four focus group discussions were carried out among the separate group of women, men and group consisting both men and women. Carbon management types: input carbon and output carbon activities were studied on men and women. In total, 23 different agro-pastorals related activities were found, among them 57% of work were supported by women, 39% by both men and women, and 4% by men only. With respect to fuel-wood, in average, 10 kg per day fuelwood is necessary for one household. The use of biomass for cooking emits chocking smoke and causes indoor air pollution. All these disadvantages lead to carbon emission which might lead to health deterioration of women by increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases and respiratory disorders. The average fuel-wood requirement was found to be 840 kg/capita/year which are found to be higher than the other physiographic regions of Nepal. This is due to use of fuel-wood as only source of energy in the study area. Out of total respondent, it was observed that 30% literate men allow their wife to make joint decision on the major household issues. Similarly, 3% literate women respondents took the major decision by their own or jointly with their husbands. On the other hand, 30% illiterate men and 37% illiterate women either didn’t allow their wife or don’t participate in major decision-making process. Further, it is revealed from the chi square test that literacy plays major role in decision making (x2 = 5.625, df =1, p=0.017). Similarly, educated women actively join together with their husband in decision making. Moreover, women have high contribution in carbon input and output activities. Therefore, the women education should be promoted to make their equal and strong participation in decision making, which ultimately contribute in carbon input and output activities, through their greater roles in livestock husbandry and fuel-wood management relative to men. Further, importance of women’s role in carbon management should be given greater prominence.

Problems of decision making for a sustainable development

1998 ◽  
Vol 38 (11) ◽  
pp. 31-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Rauch
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Optimal Strategy ◽  
Cost Benefit Analysis ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
The Other ◽  
Benefit Analysis ◽  
Lake Region ◽  
Environmental Interactions ◽  
Overall Performance

Current environmental policy guidelines are mainly based on cost-benefit analysis and concerned with the restriction of emissions. Sustainable development, on the other hand, is focusing on determining the optimal strategy for the overall performance of both the environment and the socio-economic system. This paper highlights some of the basic problems when developing strategies with the above aim in mind. The implications for decision making are investigated by means of a fictitious model of the economical and environmental interactions in a lake region.

Situation Awareness and the Decision-Making Process in a Dynamic Situation: Avoiding Collisions at Sea

2008 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Chauvin ◽  
J. P. Clostermann ◽  
Jean-Michel Hoc
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Situation Awareness ◽  
The Other ◽  
Decision Making Process ◽  
Secondary Importance ◽  
Training Course ◽  
Training Facility ◽  
Level 1 ◽  
The One ◽  
The Impact

In this study, the authors aim to determine the impact of situation awareness (SA) in the decision-making process of “young” watch officers of a Merchant Marine training facility. The trainees were shown an ambiguous interaction situation in which they could choose among several actions. The results show that Level 1 SA (perception of the elements in the environment) tends to be of secondary importance in decision making. The major variables of the decision-making process are the interpretation of the rules and anticipation of the other vessel's intentions. Moreover, four different trainee “profiles” emerged. The main difference between them lies in the distance at which they decided to change course, the direction of this maneuver (port or starboard), the way in which they interpreted the other vessel's intentions (is it going to change course?), and whether the trainees referred to the rules. Of the trainees, 55% performed a maneuver that was against regulations, and 34% did so in an unsafe manner. This result provides an incentive to rethink the training course to put more stress on recognizing prototypical situations and choosing which actions to take in situations such as the one presented here.

scholarly journals Horizontal collaboration in the freight transport sector: barrier and decision-making frameworks

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Karam ◽  
Kristian Hegner Reinau ◽  
Christian Richter Østergaard
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Decision Support ◽  
Literature Review ◽  
Freight Transport ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Transport Sector ◽  
Decision Making Process ◽  
Transport Networks ◽  
Collaborative Decision

AbstractIn the freight transport sector, competing companies horizontally collaborate through establishing Collaborative Transport Networks (CTNs). Fruitful implementation of CTNs will leverage environmental and socio-economic goals of sustainable development in the freight transport sector. The benefits of CTNs in horizontal collaborative settings have been widely demonstrated through several modelling approaches. However, in practice, the real applications of CTNs have been challenging and most did not achieve satisfactory performances. Some studies have addressed this issue by identifying different barriers to CTN implementation. However, a conceptual framework for the barriers is not well-established. In addition, the literature lacks a decision-making framework for the CTN implementation which considers the different barriers. To address this gap, this paper conducted a literature review of the barriers to CTN implementation. In total, 31 different barriers were identified. A conceptual barrier framework is developed by grouping the 31 barriers into five categories: the business model, information sharing, the human factors, the Collaborative Decision Support Systems (CDSSs), and the market. The paper additionally proposes a stage-gate model integrating the conceptual barrier framework into the CTN implementation decision-making process. The current work contributes to the existing literature by developing both theoretical and practical understandings of the barriers to implementing CTNs and will support decision makers in CTN implementation to maximize the CTN benefits and minimize the risk of CTN failure.

scholarly journals Pengaruh Kinerja Keuangan Terhadap Return Saham (Studi Pada Emiten Saham Syariah Sektor Manufaktur Yang Terdaftar di Indeks Saham Syariah Indonesia Tahun 2011-2012)

2015 ◽  
Vol 1 (7) ◽  
pp. 518
Author(s):  
Rizkary Roslianti ◽  
Leo Herlambang
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Stock Return ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Financial Statements ◽  
The Other ◽  
Decision Making Process ◽  
Return On Assets ◽  
Financial Reports ◽  
Significance Level ◽  
Equity Ratio

Islamic stocks is one of the most preffered investment type by Muslim investors. In the decision making process, the investors have to considered the financial reports and stock analysis. This study aims to investigate the effect of fundamental factors that represented by Return on Assets, Debt to Equity Ratio and Total Assets Turnover toward stock return.This study used a quantitative approach using secondary data, they are financial statements and stock return companies listed on Indeks Saham Syariah Indonesia years 2011-2012. This study used a significance level of 5%.Based on the regression analysis results, it indicates that Return on Assets variable has a very significant effect on the stock return. On the other hand, Debt to Equity Ratio variable and Total Assets Turnover variable do not have significant effect to the stock return. Simultaneously, Return on Assets, Debt to Equity Ratio and Total Assets Turnover have significant effect to stock return.

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