scholarly journals Sustainability Reporting in India – A Study of Infosys Sustainability Reports

2020 ◽  
pp. 336-346
Author(s):  
Priyanka Nayak ◽  
Narayan Kayarkatte
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Sustainability Reporting ◽  
Effective Medium ◽  
Global Reporting Initiative ◽  
Sustainability Performance ◽  
Indian Company ◽  
Sustainability Reports ◽  
Sustainability Report ◽  
Policies And Practices

Sustainability reporting is becoming more prevalent, driven by a growing recognition that sustainability-related issues can materially affect a company’s performance. In India, with the Companies Act 2013 making CSR mandatory in specified areas, more and more companies are undertaking sustainability and CSR initiatives. However, accounting and reporting of these activities are still at a nascent stage, with nearly 40 companies disclosing their sustainability performance. One such Indian company to report on CSR operations is Infosys. Infosys Ltd has proved to be the first IT firm in the globe to publish a sustainability report under the GRI (Global Reporting Initiative) G4 framework. This case study aims to explore the reporting methods followed by Infosys and to comprehend the effect it has on the synergy and development of the business. It studies the sustainability report of Infosys for 10 years and tries to understand the reporting policies and practices. Infosys has been one of the pioneers in sustainable development and reporting the same. Sustainability reports help not only to showcase the CSR activities but also serve as an effective medium for reaching nations sustainability goals.

scholarly journals Impact of Sustainability Reporting on Brand Value: An Examination of 100 Leading Brands in Singapore

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (18) ◽  
pp. 7392
Author(s):  
Lawrence Loh ◽  
Sharmine Tan
Keyword(s):  
Sustainability Reporting ◽  
Public Perceptions ◽  
Environmental Indicators ◽  
Global Reporting Initiative ◽  
Brand Value ◽  
Sustainability Performance ◽  
Sustainability Reports ◽  
Local Companies ◽  
Multi Stakeholder ◽  
Lagged Effect

The recent sustainability reporting (SR) mandate by the Singapore Exchange has heightened stakeholder awareness and propelled sustainability disclosures. Albeit encouraging, more than half of listed companies in Singapore do not produce sustainability reports. This signifies a lack of sustainability commitment, or perhaps, local companies have limited understanding on the potential value of sustainability. Our study aims to fill this gap by examining if (1) the 100 leading brands in Singapore similarly benefit from a higher brand value when they produce sustainability reports; (2) if more disclosure leads to higher brand value; (3) if a lagged effect is present. The methodology of this study included the collation of sustainability information from the 100 leading brands in Singapore, scoring each company’s sustainability performance using the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) framework. Finally, we examine the correlations using regression analysis to compare the companies’ sustainability performance with the reputed brand rankings by Brand Finance. Our findings revealed that one-fifth of the 100 leading brands in Singapore do not engage in sustainability, despite the positive correlation between sustainability reporting and brand value. Our results also suggest that greater disclosure leads to higher brand value, yet social and environmental indicators are undermanaged. Moreover, there is a lagged effect as public perceptions take time to shape. Internalising a company’s sustainability vision through a multi-stakeholder consultative approach is critical. Brand managers and sustainability practitioners must be aware that failures to meet stakeholder expectations today may consequently impact investors’ decisions.

scholarly journals Corporate Sustainability Reporting in the BIST Sustainability Index

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (10) ◽  
pp. 21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Burcu Demirel ◽  
Murat Erdogan
Keyword(s):  
Content Analysis ◽  
Corporate Sustainability ◽  
Sustainability Reporting ◽  
Development Stage ◽  
Global Reporting Initiative ◽  
Sustainability Index ◽  
Sustainability Reports ◽  
Working Day ◽  
Sustainability Report ◽  
Day By Day

<p>In recent years, there is a growing focus on corporate operations especially since the publication of the first environmental reports in 1989. Companies have started to publish information about its environmental, social and sustainability policies. The study examines the sustainability reporting elements of Borsa Istanbul Sustainability Index (BIST) in Turkey and to evaluate which elements is most vital in this context. This study will begin with the sustainability reporting that will be examined under the roof of corporation sustainability and end with the examination of sustainability reports of 15 firms, which are included in the BIST Sustainability Index in Turkey, and a content analysis. The reports of companies under study were taken from special web site and GRI (Global Reporting Initiative) database of companies. Being the first study in examining the sustainability report of companies in BIST Sustainability Index, it is expected to contribute in literature about sustainability reporting recently started to gain importance in Turkey. Overall our findings suggest that the sustainability index established in Turkey is still in development stage, but the enterprises in the endeavor are working day by day to develop the sustainability qualities.</p>

scholarly journals Sustainability Reporting in Turkey: Analysis of Companies in the BIST Sustainability Index

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tuğçe Uzun Kocamiş ◽  
Gülçin Yildirim
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Global Economy ◽  
Corporate Sustainability ◽  
Sustainability Reporting ◽  
Global Reporting Initiative ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Sustainability Index ◽  
Reporting Framework ◽  
Sustainability Reports ◽  
Voluntary Basis

Sustainability reporting is a responsibility practice that towards sustainable development goals as related to corporate performance measurement, explaining and being accountable to internal and external stakeholders. Non-financial information relating to operating activities can be disclosed through sustainability reports. Sustainability reporting is a vital step of managing change towards a sustainable global economy—one that combines long-term profitability with environmental care and social justice. Sustainability reports developed using the GRI Reporting Framework covers results and consequences the emerged in the context of organization's commitments, strategy and management approach during the reporting period. Through the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Sustainability Reporting Framework, the GRI works to increase the transparency and exchange of sustainability-related information. The Borsa Istanbul Sustainability Index, published since 2014 is an important development for the business in Turkey which is aimed sustainable development. Sustainability reports have been prepared on a voluntary basis in Turkey and in many countries. In line with global developments the number of business is increasing who prefer to explain activities of economic, environmental and social dimensions through corporate sustainability reports in Turkey as well. This study conceptually reviews sustainability reporting and its benefits for the business. In order to see the effectiveness of the sustainability reports, sustainability reports of business in the BIST sustainability index will be subjected to content analysis basis GRI Reporting Principles on voluntary basis.

Exploration of University Sustainability Report Indicators: Evidence from Indonesia

2021 ◽  
pp. 46-54
Author(s):  
Sri Pujiningsih ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Educational Institution ◽  
Sustainability Reporting ◽  
Global Reporting Initiative ◽  
Religious Nationalism ◽  
Educational Values ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
New Perspective ◽  
The University ◽  
Sustainability Report

Due to the phenomenon of university corporatization, the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) is now widely adopted by many universities worldwide, although it was initially used only by large companies. This study tries to add a lifeworld perspective to the university's sustainability report. This is an effort to maintain the university as an educational institution with different values from the company. This study provides a new perspective on lifeworld in the preparation of sustainability reporting of universities in other countries with different life world. The author explores sustainability reporting indicators in one of the universities in Indonesia based on the GRI standards and university lifeworld. This study uses a qualitative method with a case study approach at one of the universities in Indonesia. Data is collected from documents consisting of reports and other relevant data that can be accessed through the university's website and data from interviews with informants. As a result, the indicators of the sustainability reporting of universities in Indonesia based on the Global Reporting Initiative and lifeworld were systematized. The university lifeworld is a culture and educational values that reflect its identity. The indicators of the GRI consist of economic, environmental, and social. Lifeworld indicators are curriculum set product and policy, a number of research, and a number of religious, nationalism, and other activities. This research contributes to enriching theory in sustainability reporting research at universities using Habermas theory. This research is helpful for higher education stakeholders and can be used to prepare university sustainability reports.

Creating sustainability reports that matter: an investigation of factors behind the narratives

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Habiba Al-Shaer ◽  
Khaldoon Albitar ◽  
Khaled Hussainey
Keyword(s):  
Sustainability Reporting ◽  
Asia Pacific ◽  
Global Reporting Initiative ◽  
Specific Content ◽  
Content Type ◽  
External Governance ◽  
Key Features ◽  
Sustainability Reports ◽  
Sustainability Report ◽  
Forward Looking

PurposeThis paper aims to provide a novel approach to examine sustainability report narratives by considering key features of these narratives including, forward-looking content, risk content, tone and sustainability-specific content.Design/methodology/approachUsing a sample of UK firms' sustainability reports from 2014 to 2018, the authors capture the report content by compiling a collection of words using a computational linguistic technique that attempts to identify specific attributes of sustainability reports.FindingsThe findings show the main factors that determine the content of sustainability reports are: (1) external governance-related factors, including the voluntary adoption of sustainability reporting assurance, the choice of assurance provider, stakeholder engagement and ownership concentration; (2) internal governance factors, including board quality and the existence of a sustainability committee; and (3) reporting behaviour including the publication of standardised Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) sustainability reports and financial reporting quality.Research limitations/implicationsThe authors limit our sample to companies operated in the UK. Future research can explore the results in other institutional contexts such as North America or Asia–Pacific where the governance of sustainability reporting and other factors determining the content of sustainability reports could be different. Also, it would be interesting to interview managers and other stakeholders to obtain their opinions with regard to sustainability reporting and assurance practices and to understand their opinions regarding the GRI guidelines and its appropriateness. This study combines different research streams to advance our understanding of sustainability disclosures and factors that determine sustainability narratives.Practical implicationsCorporate managers need to strengthen their internal and external governance mechanisms to enhance the comprehensiveness and credibility of sustainability reports and are encouraged to engage stakeholders in the sustainability reporting process. Policymakers can mandate the assurance of sustainability reports and establish reporting formats and standard words to control the tone of sustainability reports. Finally, researchers, professionals as well as policymakers need to monitor sustainable development goals and targets to increase awareness, knowledge and practices that can be operationalised to ensure a global society that can afford sustainable living.Originality/valueTo the best of our knowledge, no study has yet examined sustainability report narratives by considering key features of these reports, including forward-looking content, risk content, tone and sustainability-specific content.

scholarly journals Analyzing the quality disclosure of Global Reporting Initiative G4 sustainability report in Indonesian companies

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 453-468
Author(s):  
Wika Harisa Putri ◽  
Handoko Arwi Hasthoro ◽  
Ghea Maudhia Putri
Keyword(s):  
Sustainability Reporting ◽  
Economic Indicator ◽  
Environmental Indicators ◽  
Global Reporting Initiative ◽  
Corporate Accountability ◽  
Financial Industry ◽  
Environmental Reporting ◽  
Industry Classification ◽  
Sustainability Reports ◽  
Sustainability Report

The establishment of a company cannot be separated from its environmental and social factors. Sustainability reports start from those applied to current companies because there are forms of corporate accountability to stakeholders and community considerations of the company to provide social responsibility. This study finds out and empirically proves that there are differences in each Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) G4 indicator in the company’s sustainability report in each industry classification. The authors investigate the dominant indicators in each industry classification based on sustainability reports. The data are obtained from 28 GRI G4-based company sustainability reports in 2016 and 2017. The analytical method in the study is the K-means clustering analysis. The results of study indicate the differences in GRI G4 in 2016 and 2017. The researchers find out that the dominant indicator expressed in the financial industry is an economic indicator. Meanwhile, in the mining, transportation and infrastructure industries, basic and chemical industries etc. the dominant indicators to be disclosed are environmental indicators. This research provides a theoretical basis for sustainability and environmental reporting, particularly in the context of developing countries. It is expected that this study should also inform business practitioners as well as policymakers vis-à-vis sustainability reporting in practice.

scholarly journals Sustainability Reporting In A Global Context: What Are The Characteristics Of Corporations That Provide High Quality Sustainability Reports An Empirical Analysis

2010 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Petra F.A. Dilling
Keyword(s):  
Sustainability Reporting ◽  
Global Reporting Initiative ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Global Context ◽  
Reporting Practices ◽  
Qualitative Variables ◽  
Global Corporations ◽  
Common Framework ◽  
Sustainability Reports ◽  
Sustainability Report

Over the last years, sustainable development has become one of the major issues that all global organizations are facing. The Global Reporting Initiative, located in the Netherlands and considered the leading authority world-wide, has developed what is currently considered the “common framework for sustainability reporting”. The latest version of their reporting guidelines called G3 contains detailed instructions and standards on how to prepare sustainability reports. By using G3 guidelines, corporations show a strong commitment of continuous improvement of their sustainability reporting practices. The G3 guidelines are increasingly adopted by many global corporations and organizations. At present, more than 700 organizations voluntarily publish a sustainability report according to G3 guidelines. For the first time, this empirical study investigates if the better performing and/or governed corporations prepare their sustainability reports according to the G3 guidelines. The goal of this study is to determine if there are significant differences with regard to size, financial performance, capital structure, and corporate governance between firms that publish a G3 sustainability report to those that don’t. Therefore, quantitative and qualitative variables of 124 randomly selected G3 reporting and non-G3 reporting corporations from 25 countries were analyzed. The results of this analysis show that corporations with the characteristics of being located in Europe, and/or being active in the energy or producing sector, and/or with a higher profit margin are more likely to produce high quality sustainability reports. Corporations with a higher long-term growth rate, on the other hand, are less likely to produce sustainability reports. The results of this unique study contribute directly to the knowledge of corporations providing voluntary CSR information in form of quality sustainability reports and the importance of the development of globally accepted sustainability reporting standards. 

scholarly journals Creating Shared Values by Integrating UN Sustainable Development Goals in Corporate Communication—The Case of Apparel Retail

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (21) ◽  
pp. 8806
Author(s):  
Linnea Olofsson ◽  
Cecilia Mark-Herbert
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Sustainability Reporting ◽  
Comparative Case Study ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Cherry Picking ◽  
Sustainability Reports ◽  
Textile And Apparel Industry

The textile and apparel industry, while endowed with enormous potential related to the development of countries, is continuously drawing attention to its negative sustainability impacts along their value chains. While apparel retail has been an early adopter to integrate the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into sustainability reports, critics point to the fact that linking sustainability activities to the SDGs is not enough, and cherry-picking low hanging fruit goals is insufficient. To address this potential discrepancy between action and communication, the aim of this study is to explain the perceived value of SDG integration in sustainability reporting in apparel retail. A comparative case study has been conducted of two Swedish apparel retail companies, Lindex and Filippa K, where six sustainability reports from 2015–2017 were reviewed. Empirical findings suggest that there is a correlation between SDG integration, communication maturity, and SDG contribution. The study points to the guiding role the SDGs may have to expand the scope of corporate impact and value in sustainability communication.

scholarly journals The quality of sustainability reports and impression management

2017 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 643-667 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominique Diouf ◽  
Olivier Boiral
Keyword(s):  
Impression Management ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Sustainability Reporting ◽  
Global Reporting Initiative ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Responsible Investment ◽  
Sustainability Performance ◽  
Sustainability Reports

Purpose The purpose of this research is to analyze the perceptions of stakeholders – more specifically, socially responsible investment (SRI) practitioners – of the quality of sustainability reports using the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) framework. Design/methodology/approach This paper is based on 33 semi-structured interviews carried out with different stakeholders and experts (e.g. consultants, fund managers, analysts, consultants) in the field of SRI in Canada. Findings The perceptions of SRI practitioners shed more light on the elastic and uncertain application of the GRI principles in determining the quality of sustainability reports. Their perceptions tend to support the argument that sustainability reports reflect the impression management strategies used by companies to highlight the positive aspects of their sustainability performance and to obfuscate negative outcomes. Originality/value First, undertake empirical research on stakeholders’ perceptions – which have been largely overlooked – of the quality of sustainability reports. Second, shed new light on the impression management strategies used in sustainability reporting. Third, show the reflexivity and the degree of skepticism of practitioners with regard to the reliability of information on sustainability performance.

Sustain and legitimize reputation

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nubia Cristina Mapa ◽  
Luiz Claudio Vieira de Oliveira ◽  
Mario Teixeira Reis Neto
Keyword(s):  
Global Reporting Initiative ◽  
Mining Company ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
New Rhetoric ◽  
Rational Discourse ◽  
Sustainability Reports ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Sustainability Report ◽  
Discursive Resources

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze the discursive resources used to sustain and legitimize the reputation of the mining company Samarco Mineração regarding sustainability, before the environmental accident occurred in 2015. Design/methodology/approach The sustainability reports from 2005 to 2014 were accessed for the analysis of the presentation texts, and the discourse analysis method was applied to access the discursive resources employed. Findings From the classical concepts of rhetoric, ethos, pathos and logos, it was found that they reinforced the reputation and legitimacy of the company. The ethos is responsible for the company’s image, while pathos triggers the emotional reception of that image, provoking positive expectations. The logos relate the built image and its emotional reception to a rational discourse that values the company’s expertise. The analysis, in the light of the new rhetoric, exposes the strategies to lead the public to accept the image of solidity and confidence given by a reputation respected nationally and internationally. Research limitations/implications As a limitation, the quantitative data of the report were not analyzed, since the objective was to analyze the discourse construction, understanding that the research was adequate for the established purposes. For the future, it is suggested to analyze the discourse of the company after the environmental accident in order to verify the strategies used in the same theme; analyze the discourses in other reports published in the Global Reporting Initiative model; investigate how the logic of sustainability report construction based on a standard model can interfere in the formation of reputation and legitimacy of the companies; and analyze the impact of CSR on the strategy of the companies. Practical implications The knowledge about the functioning of the language and discourse as an indicative of subjectivity provides a more critical reading and reveals elements implicit in the discourse of the organization. It was verified that the sustainability reports in encapsulated formats allow some stability in the discourse, since companies tend to follow the same line of previous years, even with changes in the organizational structure. Originality/value Discourses built by the companies do not always reflect the true operational and engineering situation practiced by them, and that successful and reputed companies can surprise their stakeholders with events of great magnitude that cause significant losses, be they monetary or human lives.

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