Pub Date : 2023-05-19DOI: 10.1108/sampj-05-2022-0257
S. Moggi
Purpose The porpose of this study is to critically consider the use of global reporting initiative (GRI) guidelines in universities’ sustainability reports.. In light of the recent literature and Habermas’s thinking, the study advances the research field by considering the process of internal colonisation from steering institutions and makes suggestions regarding the future role of GRI in the higher education (HE) context. Design/methodology/approach This study presents a systematic literature review and content analysis for enhancing the critical reading of GRI applications in HE studies. The results are analysed in light of Habermas’s thinking, considering the GRI as a steering institution and its guidelines as steering mechanisms. Findings This study updates the literature review on sustainability reporting (SR) at universities and underlines the general trend in the employment of the GRI in this context. The results highlight the need to adapt the GRI to enhance its applicability in the HE context by considering additional dimensions such as research, teaching and operations. In doing so, the framework loses effectiveness and weakens the role of the GRI as a steering institution. Practical implications The results suggest that the GRI guidelines should be reframed to enhance comparability among reports and increase its wider employment at universities. Social implications Universities need to be guided in their accountability process towards SR by dedicated frameworks. This study suggests the potentially pivotal role that the GRI could play in providing dedicated tools for HE to steer and enhance the development of SRs at universities. Originality/value This study presents an updated review of studies on SR at universities and suggests possible paths for the future of the GRI framework applicability to universities’ SR.
{"title":"Sustainability reporting, universities and global reporting initiative applicability: a still open issue","authors":"S. Moggi","doi":"10.1108/sampj-05-2022-0257","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/sampj-05-2022-0257","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000Purpose\u0000The porpose of this study is to critically consider the use of global reporting initiative (GRI) guidelines in universities’ sustainability reports.. In light of the recent literature and Habermas’s thinking, the study advances the research field by considering the process of internal colonisation from steering institutions and makes suggestions regarding the future role of GRI in the higher education (HE) context.\u0000\u0000\u0000Design/methodology/approach\u0000This study presents a systematic literature review and content analysis for enhancing the critical reading of GRI applications in HE studies. The results are analysed in light of Habermas’s thinking, considering the GRI as a steering institution and its guidelines as steering mechanisms.\u0000\u0000\u0000Findings\u0000This study updates the literature review on sustainability reporting (SR) at universities and underlines the general trend in the employment of the GRI in this context. The results highlight the need to adapt the GRI to enhance its applicability in the HE context by considering additional dimensions such as research, teaching and operations. In doing so, the framework loses effectiveness and weakens the role of the GRI as a steering institution.\u0000\u0000\u0000Practical implications\u0000The results suggest that the GRI guidelines should be reframed to enhance comparability among reports and increase its wider employment at universities.\u0000\u0000\u0000Social implications\u0000Universities need to be guided in their accountability process towards SR by dedicated frameworks. This study suggests the potentially pivotal role that the GRI could play in providing dedicated tools for HE to steer and enhance the development of SRs at universities.\u0000\u0000\u0000Originality/value\u0000This study presents an updated review of studies on SR at universities and suggests possible paths for the future of the GRI framework applicability to universities’ SR.\u0000","PeriodicalId":22143,"journal":{"name":"Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2023-05-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47345042","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-05-16DOI: 10.1108/sampj-04-2022-0170
Hamzah Al-Mawali
Purpose The purpose of this study is to integrate the sustainability balanced scorecard (SBSC) framework with decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) for proposing a model and identifying the cause-and-effect relationships between the five perspectives of SBSC and then 23 performance indicators within the SBSC framework in a strategy map. Design/methodology/approach The DEMATEL approach is used to obtain a matrix including direct and indirect influences between the five perspectives of SBSC and among 23 key performance indicators (KPIs). DEMATEL data are gathered from experts to propose a model and establish reliable relationships between performance metrics. Using DEMATEL and the SBSC framework, a strategy map for the SBSC dimensions and KPIs was built to illustrate strategic cause-and-effect relationships among the various dimensions and performance indicators. Findings The outcomes indicated that internal process and financial perspectives play essential outputs. Sustainability is the most critical predictor (causal) in the model, then customer and learning and growth dimensions, indicating that sustainability, learning and growth and customer dimensions all positively affect other dimensions. Additionally, sustainability has bi-directional in its link to the customer and internal processes and bi-directional in its relationship to finance, learning and growth. Numerous additional linkages are observed among the five SBSC perspectives and KPIs. Research limitations/implications The data collected is based on an “average” company in manufacturing sector; thus, companies need to customize this model to ensure that their strategies are clearly translated into KPIs. Practical implications The findings gave valuable information to management about manufacturing companies KPIs. They determined which KPIs are regarded as outcome (effect) variables and which KPIs are considered predictor (casual) variables. Additionally, the findings offer management with SBSC perspectives that should be traded as outcomes and those that should be traded as predictors. Additionally, the findings highlighted the critical KPIs and explained their interrelationships. This enables managers to focus on the significant financial besides non-financial indicators and comprehend the logical connection among them. Social implications The results qualify executives and management to analyze and recognize a strategy map by understanding each objective's impacts, including direct and indirect, on all others. The typical analysis comprises determining the strategic objectives that are “cause” and the objectives considered as “effect”. As this study extends the BSC framework to have sustainability perspectives, the results of DEMATEL provide administrators with exceptional information to blend the conventional BSC perspectives with sustainability as added perspective. Originality/value The current study proposed an illustration model for strategy map d
{"title":"Proposing a strategy map based on sustainability balanced scorecard and DEMATEL for manufacturing companies","authors":"Hamzah Al-Mawali","doi":"10.1108/sampj-04-2022-0170","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/sampj-04-2022-0170","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000Purpose\u0000The purpose of this study is to integrate the sustainability balanced scorecard (SBSC) framework with decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) for proposing a model and identifying the cause-and-effect relationships between the five perspectives of SBSC and then 23 performance indicators within the SBSC framework in a strategy map.\u0000\u0000\u0000Design/methodology/approach\u0000The DEMATEL approach is used to obtain a matrix including direct and indirect influences between the five perspectives of SBSC and among 23 key performance indicators (KPIs). DEMATEL data are gathered from experts to propose a model and establish reliable relationships between performance metrics. Using DEMATEL and the SBSC framework, a strategy map for the SBSC dimensions and KPIs was built to illustrate strategic cause-and-effect relationships among the various dimensions and performance indicators.\u0000\u0000\u0000Findings\u0000The outcomes indicated that internal process and financial perspectives play essential outputs. Sustainability is the most critical predictor (causal) in the model, then customer and learning and growth dimensions, indicating that sustainability, learning and growth and customer dimensions all positively affect other dimensions. Additionally, sustainability has bi-directional in its link to the customer and internal processes and bi-directional in its relationship to finance, learning and growth. Numerous additional linkages are observed among the five SBSC perspectives and KPIs.\u0000\u0000\u0000Research limitations/implications\u0000The data collected is based on an “average” company in manufacturing sector; thus, companies need to customize this model to ensure that their strategies are clearly translated into KPIs.\u0000\u0000\u0000Practical implications\u0000The findings gave valuable information to management about manufacturing companies KPIs. They determined which KPIs are regarded as outcome (effect) variables and which KPIs are considered predictor (casual) variables. Additionally, the findings offer management with SBSC perspectives that should be traded as outcomes and those that should be traded as predictors. Additionally, the findings highlighted the critical KPIs and explained their interrelationships. This enables managers to focus on the significant financial besides non-financial indicators and comprehend the logical connection among them.\u0000\u0000\u0000Social implications\u0000The results qualify executives and management to analyze and recognize a strategy map by understanding each objective's impacts, including direct and indirect, on all others. The typical analysis comprises determining the strategic objectives that are “cause” and the objectives considered as “effect”. As this study extends the BSC framework to have sustainability perspectives, the results of DEMATEL provide administrators with exceptional information to blend the conventional BSC perspectives with sustainability as added perspective.\u0000\u0000\u0000Originality/value\u0000The current study proposed an illustration model for strategy map d","PeriodicalId":22143,"journal":{"name":"Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2023-05-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44455884","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-05-05DOI: 10.1108/sampj-11-2021-0495
J. Morris, Remmer Sassen, M. McGuinness
Purpose This research aims to understand how companies communicate their understanding of water-related challenges and their responses to identify new pathways for addressing this challenge to further advance rising interest in water sustainability strategies of corporations. Design/methodology/approach Through a content analysis of corporate disclosures, this paper identifies the actions and challenges reported by 35 FTSE 100 companies. These are analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively to explore variations in the subject of disclosure and the narrative framing. Findings The findings identify a clear split across the types of water sustainability reporting according to the industrial sector and subject of disclosure, linking to different narratives used according to legitimacy pressures. Practical implications This paper finds that energy, materials and consumer staples sectors consistently outperform other sectors on the reporting of water issues and the scope which is covered. This has implications for the design of regulations and incentives to increase water sustainability management activities in large companies, which currently under-report. Social implications This paper highlights the need for policy implementation to further integrate water-related topics into company reporting and identifies situations where the narrative disclosed may distort the underlying situation that is being communicated. Originality/value This paper explores the narratives used in company reporting to identify the challenges related to water sustainability and the actions taken in response. This can contribute to developing a pathway towards increased water sustainability (e.g. through new policy design).
{"title":"Beyond water scarcity and efficiency? Water sustainability disclosures in corporate reporting","authors":"J. Morris, Remmer Sassen, M. McGuinness","doi":"10.1108/sampj-11-2021-0495","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/sampj-11-2021-0495","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000Purpose\u0000This research aims to understand how companies communicate their understanding of water-related challenges and their responses to identify new pathways for addressing this challenge to further advance rising interest in water sustainability strategies of corporations.\u0000\u0000\u0000Design/methodology/approach\u0000Through a content analysis of corporate disclosures, this paper identifies the actions and challenges reported by 35 FTSE 100 companies. These are analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively to explore variations in the subject of disclosure and the narrative framing.\u0000\u0000\u0000Findings\u0000The findings identify a clear split across the types of water sustainability reporting according to the industrial sector and subject of disclosure, linking to different narratives used according to legitimacy pressures.\u0000\u0000\u0000Practical implications\u0000This paper finds that energy, materials and consumer staples sectors consistently outperform other sectors on the reporting of water issues and the scope which is covered. This has implications for the design of regulations and incentives to increase water sustainability management activities in large companies, which currently under-report.\u0000\u0000\u0000Social implications\u0000This paper highlights the need for policy implementation to further integrate water-related topics into company reporting and identifies situations where the narrative disclosed may distort the underlying situation that is being communicated.\u0000\u0000\u0000Originality/value\u0000This paper explores the narratives used in company reporting to identify the challenges related to water sustainability and the actions taken in response. This can contribute to developing a pathway towards increased water sustainability (e.g. through new policy design).\u0000","PeriodicalId":22143,"journal":{"name":"Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2023-05-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48047861","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-04-27DOI: 10.1108/sampj-07-2021-0284
G. Massari, I. Giannoccaro
Purpose Circular economy (CE) disclosure is becoming urgent for firms, but an accepted and recognized approach to address it is still missing, especially at small and medium enterprises (SMEs) level. This study aims to contribute to this issue by exploring the potential of the adoption of Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards as a standardized approach for CE disclosure. The paper proposes a framework that identifies the existence of specific relationships between the topics included in GRI 300 Standards and CE strategies, which can be considered as managerial guidelines for CE strategy disclosure by companies. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses an explorative research methodology based on the content analysis of secondary data taken from the sustainability reports of the SMEs listed in STAR segment of Borsa Italiana. Findings The analysis shows that GRI Standards are currently adopted to disclose the CE strategies by Italian SMEs across different economic sectors including construction, food, automotive, retail, personal and household goods, industrial goods and services, electronics, media and technology. In particular, GRI 301 is used for the disclosure about Recycling, Reuse, Reverse logistics, Industrial Symbiosis, Eco-Design, Product as a Service and Refurbishing/Reconditioning/Remanufacturing. GRI 302 is suited to disclose CE strategies about Eco-Design, Renewable Energy and Industrial Symbiosis. GRI 303 can be useful to disclose about Reuse and Industrial Symbiosis. GRI 305 is appropriate for Eco-Design, Renewable Energy, Product as a Service, Industrial Symbiosis and Recycling. Finally, GRI 306 is useful to communicate the CE strategies of Recycling, Reuse, Reverse Logistics, Eco-Design, Industrial Symbiosis, Maintenance/Repair, Refurbishing/Reconditioning/Remanufacturing. Practical implications The paper includes implications concerning how to report the implementation of a wide range of CE practices, mainly using GRI 301, 302, 303, 305 and 306. These implications are mainly addressed to SMEs in different economic sectors. Social implications The use of the proposed framework, by improving the transparency and communication of the CE strategies used by companies, may contribute to accelerate the consumer awareness on CE practices fostering the CE transition, especially of SMEs, with a positive effect on society and environment. Originality/value This study extends the literature on CE by developing one among the few standardized approaches using the GRI Standards for the disclosure of CE strategies, a topic mainly investigated in the literature with reference to large companies in a few industries. The framework is also useful to explore the implementation of CE strategies across SMEs in different industrial sectors.
循环经济(CE)信息披露对企业来说变得越来越紧迫，但解决这一问题的公认方法仍然缺失，特别是在中小型企业(SMEs)层面。本研究旨在通过探索采用全球报告倡议组织(GRI)标准作为CE披露的标准化方法的潜力，为这一问题做出贡献。本文提出了一个框架，该框架确定了GRI 300标准中包含的主题与CE战略之间存在的特定关系，该框架可被视为公司CE战略披露的管理指南。设计/方法/方法本文采用探索性研究方法，基于对Borsa Italiana STAR细分市场中小企业可持续发展报告中二级数据的内容分析。调查结果分析表明，GRI标准目前被意大利中小企业采用，以披露不同经济部门的CE战略，包括建筑、食品、汽车、零售、个人和家庭用品、工业产品和服务、电子、媒体和技术。GRI 301特别用于披露回收、再利用、逆向物流、工业共生、生态设计、产品即服务和翻新/翻新/再制造。GRI 302适用于披露有关生态设计、可再生能源和工业共生的CE策略。GRI 303可以用于披露重用和工业共生。GRI 305适用于生态设计、可再生能源、产品即服务、工业共生和循环利用。最后，GRI 306有助于传达回收、再利用、逆向物流、生态设计、工业共生、维护/修理、翻新/翻新/再制造等CE战略。实际影响该文件包括如何报告一系列主要使用GRI 301、302、303、305和306的环境行政实践的实施情况的影响。这些影响主要针对不同经济领域的中小企业。社会影响建议框架的使用，通过提高公司使用的环保策略的透明度和沟通，可能有助于加快消费者(特别是中小企业)对环保实践的认识，从而促进环保转型，对社会和环境产生积极影响。原创性/价值本研究扩展了关于企业价值的文献，通过开发使用GRI标准披露企业价值战略的少数标准化方法之一，这是文献中主要针对少数行业的大公司进行研究的主题。该框架也有助于探讨在不同行业的中小企业中实施企业行政执行策略。
{"title":"Adopting GRI Standards for the Circular Economy strategies disclosure: the case of Italy","authors":"G. Massari, I. Giannoccaro","doi":"10.1108/sampj-07-2021-0284","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/sampj-07-2021-0284","url":null,"abstract":"Purpose Circular economy (CE) disclosure is becoming urgent for firms, but an accepted and recognized approach to address it is still missing, especially at small and medium enterprises (SMEs) level. This study aims to contribute to this issue by exploring the potential of the adoption of Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards as a standardized approach for CE disclosure. The paper proposes a framework that identifies the existence of specific relationships between the topics included in GRI 300 Standards and CE strategies, which can be considered as managerial guidelines for CE strategy disclosure by companies. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses an explorative research methodology based on the content analysis of secondary data taken from the sustainability reports of the SMEs listed in STAR segment of Borsa Italiana. Findings The analysis shows that GRI Standards are currently adopted to disclose the CE strategies by Italian SMEs across different economic sectors including construction, food, automotive, retail, personal and household goods, industrial goods and services, electronics, media and technology. In particular, GRI 301 is used for the disclosure about Recycling, Reuse, Reverse logistics, Industrial Symbiosis, Eco-Design, Product as a Service and Refurbishing/Reconditioning/Remanufacturing. GRI 302 is suited to disclose CE strategies about Eco-Design, Renewable Energy and Industrial Symbiosis. GRI 303 can be useful to disclose about Reuse and Industrial Symbiosis. GRI 305 is appropriate for Eco-Design, Renewable Energy, Product as a Service, Industrial Symbiosis and Recycling. Finally, GRI 306 is useful to communicate the CE strategies of Recycling, Reuse, Reverse Logistics, Eco-Design, Industrial Symbiosis, Maintenance/Repair, Refurbishing/Reconditioning/Remanufacturing. Practical implications The paper includes implications concerning how to report the implementation of a wide range of CE practices, mainly using GRI 301, 302, 303, 305 and 306. These implications are mainly addressed to SMEs in different economic sectors. Social implications The use of the proposed framework, by improving the transparency and communication of the CE strategies used by companies, may contribute to accelerate the consumer awareness on CE practices fostering the CE transition, especially of SMEs, with a positive effect on society and environment. Originality/value This study extends the literature on CE by developing one among the few standardized approaches using the GRI Standards for the disclosure of CE strategies, a topic mainly investigated in the literature with reference to large companies in a few industries. The framework is also useful to explore the implementation of CE strategies across SMEs in different industrial sectors.","PeriodicalId":22143,"journal":{"name":"Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2023-04-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45165836","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Purpose This study aims to investigate the role of regional environmental transparency on corporate environmental disclosure. Design/methodology/approach This study uses the introduction of a nationwide automated air pollution monitoring network in China as a quasi-natural experiment and employs regression analysis. Robustness checks, including parallel trend test and placebo test, are performed to test the robustness of the results. Findings Sharing air pollution data with the public can improve corporate environmental disclosure. Firms with poorer environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance prefer to disclose less informative information after the automated network is implemented compared with firms with better ESG performance. The relationship between information sharing and corporate environmental transparency is more pronounced when local air pollution is severer, firms face stronger investor scrutiny and firms are from heavily polluting industries. The mechanism tests suggest the automated system can draw public environmental attention and improve governments’ aspiration for environmental governance. Finally, corporate environmental disclosure can reduce stock price crash risk and cost of equity. Practical implications Real-time pollution data reporting is an important solution to raising public environmental awareness and then enhancing the effectiveness of pollution control. Social implications This study has implications for policy-making regarding environmental governance and environmental disclosure. Originality/value This study confirms that pollution information transparency can motivate firms to increase environmental disclosure.
{"title":"Automatic air pollution monitoring and corporate environmental disclosure: a quasi-natural experiment from China","authors":"Hanwen Chen, Siyi Liu, Daoguang Yang, Ding-Bian Zhang","doi":"10.1108/sampj-07-2022-0385","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/sampj-07-2022-0385","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000Purpose\u0000This study aims to investigate the role of regional environmental transparency on corporate environmental disclosure.\u0000\u0000\u0000Design/methodology/approach\u0000This study uses the introduction of a nationwide automated air pollution monitoring network in China as a quasi-natural experiment and employs regression analysis. Robustness checks, including parallel trend test and placebo test, are performed to test the robustness of the results.\u0000\u0000\u0000Findings\u0000Sharing air pollution data with the public can improve corporate environmental disclosure. Firms with poorer environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance prefer to disclose less informative information after the automated network is implemented compared with firms with better ESG performance. The relationship between information sharing and corporate environmental transparency is more pronounced when local air pollution is severer, firms face stronger investor scrutiny and firms are from heavily polluting industries. The mechanism tests suggest the automated system can draw public environmental attention and improve governments’ aspiration for environmental governance. Finally, corporate environmental disclosure can reduce stock price crash risk and cost of equity.\u0000\u0000\u0000Practical implications\u0000Real-time pollution data reporting is an important solution to raising public environmental awareness and then enhancing the effectiveness of pollution control.\u0000\u0000\u0000Social implications\u0000This study has implications for policy-making regarding environmental governance and environmental disclosure.\u0000\u0000\u0000Originality/value\u0000This study confirms that pollution information transparency can motivate firms to increase environmental disclosure.\u0000","PeriodicalId":22143,"journal":{"name":"Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2023-04-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48548708","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-04-11DOI: 10.1108/sampj-08-2022-0403
Francesco Scarpa, Riccardo Torelli, S. Fiandrino
Purpose This paper aims to understand how companies addressed and revisited their sustainable development goals (SDGs) engagement during COVID-19. Design/methodology/approach The study conducts semi-structured interviews with the sustainability managers of 16 Italian listed companies acting for the accomplishment of the SDGs. Then, the interviews’ transcripts and the companies’ sustainability reports were thematically analysed to tease out relevant findings. Findings The findings show that companies have intensified their SDGs efforts during COVID-19, implementing an approach closer to the “Sustainability for Braving Crisis”. The findings unveil the transformational mechanisms which determined and facilitated this improvement at three levels of the business SDGs engagement: “WHY” (general awareness and motivations), “HOW” (governance mechanisms, organizational structure and stakeholder dialogue) and “WHAT” (SDGs identification and prioritization and actions for the SDGs). These findings uncover the mechanisms through which a global crisis may prompt and catalyse sustainable business practices, acting as i) an inspirational and empowering event, ii) an organisational lever and iii) a reference point. Practical implications This research has important implications for practice and policy, as it offers managers and stakeholders guidance to understand how companies have reshaped their sustainability practices during the pandemic and drives future corporate responses in times of crisis. Social implications This study shows that a crisis may be a powerful lever to intensify business sustainability practices towards a better contribution to the SDGs. Originality/value This study focuses on how companies have revised their SDGs practices when faced with a global crisis such as COVID-19.
{"title":"Business engagement for the SDGs in COVID-19 time: an Italian perspective","authors":"Francesco Scarpa, Riccardo Torelli, S. Fiandrino","doi":"10.1108/sampj-08-2022-0403","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/sampj-08-2022-0403","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000Purpose\u0000This paper aims to understand how companies addressed and revisited their sustainable development goals (SDGs) engagement during COVID-19.\u0000\u0000\u0000Design/methodology/approach\u0000The study conducts semi-structured interviews with the sustainability managers of 16 Italian listed companies acting for the accomplishment of the SDGs. Then, the interviews’ transcripts and the companies’ sustainability reports were thematically analysed to tease out relevant findings.\u0000\u0000\u0000Findings\u0000The findings show that companies have intensified their SDGs efforts during COVID-19, implementing an approach closer to the “Sustainability for Braving Crisis”. The findings unveil the transformational mechanisms which determined and facilitated this improvement at three levels of the business SDGs engagement: “WHY” (general awareness and motivations), “HOW” (governance mechanisms, organizational structure and stakeholder dialogue) and “WHAT” (SDGs identification and prioritization and actions for the SDGs). These findings uncover the mechanisms through which a global crisis may prompt and catalyse sustainable business practices, acting as i) an inspirational and empowering event, ii) an organisational lever and iii) a reference point.\u0000\u0000\u0000Practical implications\u0000This research has important implications for practice and policy, as it offers managers and stakeholders guidance to understand how companies have reshaped their sustainability practices during the pandemic and drives future corporate responses in times of crisis.\u0000\u0000\u0000Social implications\u0000This study shows that a crisis may be a powerful lever to intensify business sustainability practices towards a better contribution to the SDGs.\u0000\u0000\u0000Originality/value\u0000This study focuses on how companies have revised their SDGs practices when faced with a global crisis such as COVID-19.\u0000","PeriodicalId":22143,"journal":{"name":"Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2023-04-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42073601","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-04-07DOI: 10.1108/sampj-04-2022-0198
Magnus Frostenson, Leanne Johnstone
Purpose Motivated to know more about the internal means through which accountability for sustainability takes shape within organisations (in what ways and by whom), this paper aims to explore how accountability for sustainability is constructed within an organisation during a process of establishing a control system for sustainability. Design/methodology/approach This paper adopts a qualitative case study approach of a decentralised industrial group, operating mainly in Scandinavia, between 2017 and 2020. Both primary and secondary data are used (e.g. document analyses, semi-structured interviews, informal conversations and site visits) to inform the findings and analysis. Findings The findings reveal a multi-faceted path towards accountability for sustainability that involves several concerns and priorities at organisational and individual levels, resulting in a separate sustainability control systems within each subsidiary company. Although hierarchical structures for accountability exist, socialising accountability activities are needed to (further) mobilise sustainable accounts. Practical implications Successful sustainable control systems require employees making sense of formalised accountability instruments (e.g. policies and procedures) to establish their roles and responsibilities in organisations. Social implications This paper proposes socialisation processes as important for driving forward sustainability solutions. Originality/value This study elaborates on the internal accountability dynamic for the construction of sustainable accounts. Its novelty is built upon the interaction of hierarchical and socialising accountability forms as necessary for establishing a control system for sustainability. It furthermore illustrates the relationship between the external and internal pathways of accountability.
{"title":"Moving beyond the external face of accountability: constructing accountability for sustainability from within","authors":"Magnus Frostenson, Leanne Johnstone","doi":"10.1108/sampj-04-2022-0198","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/sampj-04-2022-0198","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000Purpose\u0000Motivated to know more about the internal means through which accountability for sustainability takes shape within organisations (in what ways and by whom), this paper aims to explore how accountability for sustainability is constructed within an organisation during a process of establishing a control system for sustainability.\u0000\u0000\u0000Design/methodology/approach\u0000This paper adopts a qualitative case study approach of a decentralised industrial group, operating mainly in Scandinavia, between 2017 and 2020. Both primary and secondary data are used (e.g. document analyses, semi-structured interviews, informal conversations and site visits) to inform the findings and analysis.\u0000\u0000\u0000Findings\u0000The findings reveal a multi-faceted path towards accountability for sustainability that involves several concerns and priorities at organisational and individual levels, resulting in a separate sustainability control systems within each subsidiary company. Although hierarchical structures for accountability exist, socialising accountability activities are needed to (further) mobilise sustainable accounts.\u0000\u0000\u0000Practical implications\u0000Successful sustainable control systems require employees making sense of formalised accountability instruments (e.g. policies and procedures) to establish their roles and responsibilities in organisations.\u0000\u0000\u0000Social implications\u0000This paper proposes socialisation processes as important for driving forward sustainability solutions.\u0000\u0000\u0000Originality/value\u0000This study elaborates on the internal accountability dynamic for the construction of sustainable accounts. Its novelty is built upon the interaction of hierarchical and socialising accountability forms as necessary for establishing a control system for sustainability. It furthermore illustrates the relationship between the external and internal pathways of accountability.\u0000","PeriodicalId":22143,"journal":{"name":"Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2023-04-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46832635","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-04-03DOI: 10.1108/sampj-04-2022-0212
Ruth Dimes, M. Molinari
Purpose This paper aims to develop a conceptual framework informed by a literature review. This framework aims to deepen and broaden the understanding of the relationship between corporate governance mechanisms and non-financial reporting (NFR) through qualitative research approaches. Design/methodology/approach A review of corporate governance and NFR literature and existing research frameworks leads to the development of a conceptual framework to encourage future qualitative accounting research on the corporate governance mechanisms for NFR. Findings Few studies consider the complex interrelationships between NFR and corporate governance mechanisms. Quantitative studies using secondary data sources dominate accounting research on the topic. Of the small number of qualitative studies, many are theoretical and offer little new knowledge about the effectiveness of corporate governance mechanisms in practice. The research framework, developed from a literature review and consideration of multiple qualitative approaches, proposes numerous avenues for future research. Research limitations/implications This paper is based on a scoping review of the literature using peer-reviewed journal papers. Other researchers may have identified additional literature for inclusion, including grey literature. Practical implications More qualitative research into NFR and corporate governance mechanisms may help to guide practitioners seeking to incorporate sustainability into their governance practices. Social implications The critical relationship between NRF and corporate governance is under-explored in research yet has significant consequences for organisations pursuing sustainability. Originality/value The authors develop a conceptual framework for qualitative accounting research on NFR and corporate governance, addressing key outstanding questions in this area and considering different theoretical perspectives when approaching this critical topic. Although there is scope for further research in general in this promising area, including quantitative reviews and discursive studies, qualitative research would be of particular value. The authors also outline multiple directions for nurturing academic debate.
{"title":"Non-financial reporting and corporate governance: a conceptual framework","authors":"Ruth Dimes, M. Molinari","doi":"10.1108/sampj-04-2022-0212","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/sampj-04-2022-0212","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000Purpose\u0000This paper aims to develop a conceptual framework informed by a literature review. This framework aims to deepen and broaden the understanding of the relationship between corporate governance mechanisms and non-financial reporting (NFR) through qualitative research approaches.\u0000\u0000\u0000Design/methodology/approach\u0000A review of corporate governance and NFR literature and existing research frameworks leads to the development of a conceptual framework to encourage future qualitative accounting research on the corporate governance mechanisms for NFR.\u0000\u0000\u0000Findings\u0000Few studies consider the complex interrelationships between NFR and corporate governance mechanisms. Quantitative studies using secondary data sources dominate accounting research on the topic. Of the small number of qualitative studies, many are theoretical and offer little new knowledge about the effectiveness of corporate governance mechanisms in practice. The research framework, developed from a literature review and consideration of multiple qualitative approaches, proposes numerous avenues for future research.\u0000\u0000\u0000Research limitations/implications\u0000This paper is based on a scoping review of the literature using peer-reviewed journal papers. Other researchers may have identified additional literature for inclusion, including grey literature.\u0000\u0000\u0000Practical implications\u0000More qualitative research into NFR and corporate governance mechanisms may help to guide practitioners seeking to incorporate sustainability into their governance practices.\u0000\u0000\u0000Social implications\u0000The critical relationship between NRF and corporate governance is under-explored in research yet has significant consequences for organisations pursuing sustainability.\u0000\u0000\u0000Originality/value\u0000The authors develop a conceptual framework for qualitative accounting research on NFR and corporate governance, addressing key outstanding questions in this area and considering different theoretical perspectives when approaching this critical topic. Although there is scope for further research in general in this promising area, including quantitative reviews and discursive studies, qualitative research would be of particular value. The authors also outline multiple directions for nurturing academic debate.\u0000","PeriodicalId":22143,"journal":{"name":"Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2023-04-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46061820","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-03-28DOI: 10.1108/sampj-05-2022-0263
Chongqing Guo, Yalin Jiang, Yingyu Wu
Purpose This study aims to explore the relationship between corporate environmental information disclosure and digital finance. Design/methodology/approach The authors used Chinese listed enterprises as the sample. Data on digital finance are from the China Digital Inclusive Finance Index published by the Institute of Digital Finance of Peking University, and corporate environmental information disclosure is collected from the China Securities Market and Accounting Research database. Multivariate regression and Stata software were used for data analysis. Findings The findings suggest that digital finance significantly inhibits firms’ environmental information disclosure. Digital finance increases firms’ motivation to meet low-income customers’ demands, which is achieved at the expense of environmental performance, leading to deteriorated environmental information disclosure. Furthermore, this inhibitory effect is exacerbated by managerial power but mitigated by institutional shareholdings and political connections. Practical implications The findings have important implications for policymakers and managers when formulating relevant policies regarding the co-development of digital finance and corporate environmental information disclosure. Social implications Environmental information disclosure is a crucial element in CSR disclosure quality. Originality/value This study enriches the literature on the environmental influences of digital finance by examining the relationship between digital finance and corporate environmental information disclosure, a crucial way through which external stakeholders obtain information about corporate environmental behaviours.
{"title":"The dark side of digital finance: evidence from environmental information disclosure of Chinese listed companies","authors":"Chongqing Guo, Yalin Jiang, Yingyu Wu","doi":"10.1108/sampj-05-2022-0263","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/sampj-05-2022-0263","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000Purpose\u0000This study aims to explore the relationship between corporate environmental information disclosure and digital finance.\u0000\u0000\u0000Design/methodology/approach\u0000The authors used Chinese listed enterprises as the sample. Data on digital finance are from the China Digital Inclusive Finance Index published by the Institute of Digital Finance of Peking University, and corporate environmental information disclosure is collected from the China Securities Market and Accounting Research database. Multivariate regression and Stata software were used for data analysis.\u0000\u0000\u0000Findings\u0000The findings suggest that digital finance significantly inhibits firms’ environmental information disclosure. Digital finance increases firms’ motivation to meet low-income customers’ demands, which is achieved at the expense of environmental performance, leading to deteriorated environmental information disclosure. Furthermore, this inhibitory effect is exacerbated by managerial power but mitigated by institutional shareholdings and political connections.\u0000\u0000\u0000Practical implications\u0000The findings have important implications for policymakers and managers when formulating relevant policies regarding the co-development of digital finance and corporate environmental information disclosure.\u0000\u0000\u0000Social implications\u0000Environmental information disclosure is a crucial element in CSR disclosure quality.\u0000\u0000\u0000Originality/value\u0000This study enriches the literature on the environmental influences of digital finance by examining the relationship between digital finance and corporate environmental information disclosure, a crucial way through which external stakeholders obtain information about corporate environmental behaviours.\u0000","PeriodicalId":22143,"journal":{"name":"Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2023-03-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46551412","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2023-03-23DOI: 10.1108/sampj-01-2022-0052
Hammed Afolabi, Ronita Ram, G. Rimmel
Purpose This study aims to examine the influence and behaviour of the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG)/European Commission, and the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Foundation/International Sustainability Standards Board in the standardisation of sustainability reporting arena and their implications for the Global Reporting Initiative’s (GRI) current position. Design/methodology/approach This paper draws on the arena concept, particularly the work of Renn (1992) and Georgakopoulous and Thomson (2008), to explore the EFRAG and the IFRS Foundation’s behaviour towards the standardisation of the sustainability reporting arena and their implications for the GRI’s current position. Further, the documents and public releases pertinent to the activities and output of the GRI, the EFRAG/European Commission and the IFRS Foundation are used. The documents are screened and analysed based on the key elements of arena concept that emerged, which includes “agenda, claims, network of bodies and group engaged, interaction and behaviour with arena issues (audience, materiality, scope and core priorities, purpose of reporting and relevance to sustainable development)”. Findings This study reveals the source of motivation and influence of the new standard setters in the sustainability reporting arena and documents the relevance of their behaviour as an actionable strategy to change the arena rule. Particularly, this paper demonstrates the perceived fall away from driving business behaviour towards the pursuit of sustainable development if the GRI and its standards cease to exist. Practical implications The pathway to achieve sustainable development and improve sustainability impact disclosure remains a debatable issue among policymakers and users of sustainability reporting standards. This study reconstructs the awareness of different dynamics at play inhibiting the harmonisation of sustainability reporting standardisation and the importance of the GRI in pursuing global sustainable development. Social implications The pattern of behaviour and agenda of sustainability institutions and influential standard setters harnessed in this paper are aimed at enabling the existence of the rules that can uphold the primary focus of the sustainability reporting arena, particularly in achieving global sustainable development. Originality/value This paper furthers the understanding of the importance of the GRI in upholding the key tenets and traditional agenda of sustainability reporting and sustainable development.
{"title":"Influence and behaviour of the new standard setters in the sustainability reporting arena: implications for the Global Reporting Initiative’s current position","authors":"Hammed Afolabi, Ronita Ram, G. Rimmel","doi":"10.1108/sampj-01-2022-0052","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1108/sampj-01-2022-0052","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000Purpose\u0000This study aims to examine the influence and behaviour of the European Financial Reporting Advisory Group (EFRAG)/European Commission, and the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) Foundation/International Sustainability Standards Board in the standardisation of sustainability reporting arena and their implications for the Global Reporting Initiative’s (GRI) current position.\u0000\u0000\u0000Design/methodology/approach\u0000This paper draws on the arena concept, particularly the work of Renn (1992) and Georgakopoulous and Thomson (2008), to explore the EFRAG and the IFRS Foundation’s behaviour towards the standardisation of the sustainability reporting arena and their implications for the GRI’s current position. Further, the documents and public releases pertinent to the activities and output of the GRI, the EFRAG/European Commission and the IFRS Foundation are used. The documents are screened and analysed based on the key elements of arena concept that emerged, which includes “agenda, claims, network of bodies and group engaged, interaction and behaviour with arena issues (audience, materiality, scope and core priorities, purpose of reporting and relevance to sustainable development)”.\u0000\u0000\u0000Findings\u0000This study reveals the source of motivation and influence of the new standard setters in the sustainability reporting arena and documents the relevance of their behaviour as an actionable strategy to change the arena rule. Particularly, this paper demonstrates the perceived fall away from driving business behaviour towards the pursuit of sustainable development if the GRI and its standards cease to exist.\u0000\u0000\u0000Practical implications\u0000The pathway to achieve sustainable development and improve sustainability impact disclosure remains a debatable issue among policymakers and users of sustainability reporting standards. This study reconstructs the awareness of different dynamics at play inhibiting the harmonisation of sustainability reporting standardisation and the importance of the GRI in pursuing global sustainable development.\u0000\u0000\u0000Social implications\u0000The pattern of behaviour and agenda of sustainability institutions and influential standard setters harnessed in this paper are aimed at enabling the existence of the rules that can uphold the primary focus of the sustainability reporting arena, particularly in achieving global sustainable development.\u0000\u0000\u0000Originality/value\u0000This paper furthers the understanding of the importance of the GRI in upholding the key tenets and traditional agenda of sustainability reporting and sustainable development.\u0000","PeriodicalId":22143,"journal":{"name":"Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2023-03-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47104807","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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