Search results
1 – 10 of over 46000
This paper aims to examine whether tax disclosure in Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)-based sustainability reporting mitigates aggressive tax avoidance.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine whether tax disclosure in Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)-based sustainability reporting mitigates aggressive tax avoidance.
Design/methodology/approach
This study uses a multiple regression method for 714 nonspecially taxed firms listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange in 2014–2018.
Findings
The findings demonstrate that disclosing tax payments in GRI-based sustainability reports reduces aggressive tax avoidance. Additional analysis indicates that the number of GRI-based sustainability reports positively affects aggressive tax avoidance. However, disclosing tax payments in multiple GRI-based sustainability reports negatively affects aggressive tax avoidance.
Originality/value
Recent prior studies demonstrate that aggressive tax avoidance does not indicate an organizational culture that devalues corporate social responsibility. This paper argues that firms cannot find the link between tax and corporate social responsibility when tax payments are not incorporated in sustainability reports. GRI considers tax a sustainability issue and seeks to institutionalize this concept by recommending that firms disclose taxes in their sustainability reports. This research analyses whether disclosing taxes in GRI-based sustainability reports may serve as a form of soft law by convincing firms that tax is a sustainability issue, thereby reducing their tax avoidance. This topic has received little attention in previous research.
Details
Keywords
This chapter reviews different definitions of firm's sustainability then clarifies own definition. The definition consists of three dimensions of firm sustainability other than…
Abstract
This chapter reviews different definitions of firm's sustainability then clarifies own definition. The definition consists of three dimensions of firm sustainability other than the economic – namely, environmental, social and governance which have been discussed and analysed separately in this chapter. In the last section of this chapter, the combination of the three dimensions of firm sustainability (environmental, social and governance) are jointly considered and analysed.
Details
Keywords
Bipul Kumar and Nikhilesh Dholakia
To introduce macro-behavioral perspective for understanding pro-sustainability actions from the perspective of various stakeholders.
Abstract
Purpose
To introduce macro-behavioral perspective for understanding pro-sustainability actions from the perspective of various stakeholders.
Methodology/approach
Recent research on sustainability, behavior change, and environmentalism is reviewed to conceptualize a comprehensive macromarketing framework to spawn and diffuse pro-sustainability behaviors.
Findings
Provides a comprehensive macromarketing framework that not only explains the behavioral factors from firm’s perspective but also explains these factors from the perspective of various stakeholders who are part of the entire value chain.
Research limitations/implications
The paper adds to the literature on pro-sustainability behaviors by providing a research framework from macro-marketing point of view.
Practical implications
As practical insight, the paper provides some important guidance in terms of better understanding on firm-specific and individual-specific actions which may help in progressing toward sustainability.
Originality/value
The paper integrates past observations on behavioral aspect of sustainability and develops an important framework to understand pro-sustainability actions.
Details
Keywords
A sustainability reporting framework must demonstrate that resources are fairly bought and used to support diverse life on earth within habitable ranges. The purpose of this paper…
Abstract
Purpose
A sustainability reporting framework must demonstrate that resources are fairly bought and used to support diverse life on earth within habitable ranges. The purpose of this paper is to propose a principle-based sustainability reporting framework that measures, audits and reports based on sustainability outcomes and impacts as part of the corporate reporting framework.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper draws on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and targets for preparing a reporting framework. It uses Gaia Theory and the Theory of Distributive Justice constructs that align with sustainable development principles to delineate a reporting approach.
Findings
Frameworks that promote sustainability reporting have increasingly embraced UN SDGs but overly focus on performance promoting inter-firm comparisons. This framework introduces principle-based sustainability reporting where firms demonstrate their chosen contribution to sustainable development using 17 UN SDGs as goal posts.
Research limitations/implications
This conceptual paper presents theoretical constructs that future research can empirically validate to enhance sustainability reporting.
Practical implications
This principle-based sustainability reporting framework is implementable for corporate reporting, where sustainability reporting integrates with the financial and economic intellectual capital reporting frameworks.
Social implications
This framework highlights the importance of acquiring and using resources to distribute justice and fairness. It is a joint project between firms and stakeholders.
Originality/value
This framework promotes integrated thinking for firms to engage in principle-based sustainability reporting and provides a roadmap for sustainability reporting using the SDG Compass logic model.
Details
Keywords
To investigate, compare and document the magnitude and extent of intellectual capital disclosure to sustainability disclosure during a transition from a voluntary to mandated…
Abstract
Purpose
To investigate, compare and document the magnitude and extent of intellectual capital disclosure to sustainability disclosure during a transition from a voluntary to mandated “comply or explain” sustainability reporting regime. And to empirically test if, during the regime transition period, changes in the magnitude (extent) of sustainability disclosure is a significant determinant of changes in the magnitude (extent) of intellectual capital disclosure.
Design/methodology/approach
Content analysis of 1,744 annual reports drawn from 436 Singapore listed firms spanning a four-year observation window (i.e. April 1, 2014 to March 31, 2018). The magnitude (number of sentences) and extent (number of items) of (1) intellectual capital disclosure measured using a 38-item index; (2) sustainability disclosure of a 105-item index; and (3) 15-item index to measure the magnitude and extent of joint sustainability/intellectual capital disclosure.
Findings
The average magnitude and extent of sustainability and the joint sustainability/intellectual capital disclosure increased whilst the average magnitude and extent of intellectual capital disclosure increased when regulatory discussion of a change to mandated sustainability reporting emerged. However, in the annual period the mandated sustainability reporting became effective while the average magnitude and extent of intellectual capital disclosure declined. Regression tests indicate a significant (insignificant) association between the change in the magnitude (extent) of sustainability disclosure and intellectual capital disclosure.
Research limitations/implications
From a research perspective, the analysis implies researchers investigating the consequences of mandated sustainability disclosure should consider impact on alternative non-financial disclosure themes and develop theoretical frameworks to derive why and how management may shift non-financial reporting strategies and practices.
Practical implications
For regulators, findings suggest there may be a need to weigh spillover costs of reductions in transparency related to intellectual capital. For investors, declines in the magnitude and extent of intellectual capital disclosure following a transition to mandated sustainability reporting may limit future firm valuation particularly of heavy intangible asset-oriented firms.
Originality/value
Initial study empirically investigating the impact of the transition from a voluntary to mandated sustainability reporting regime on the magnitude and extent of intellectual capital disclosure.
Details
Keywords
Yang Yang, Yan Jiang, Haojia Chen and Zhiduan Xu
Despite the growing interest in the role of relation-specific investments (RSIs) in superior firm performance, their impact on sustainability performance remains unexplored, as do…
Abstract
Purpose
Despite the growing interest in the role of relation-specific investments (RSIs) in superior firm performance, their impact on sustainability performance remains unexplored, as do the underlying mechanisms of such effects. Drawing on the relational view and resource orchestration theory (ROT), the authors propose that supply chain learning (SCL) mediates the link between RSIs and sustainability performance.
Design/methodology/approach
A multi-method approach was adopted, combining a case study and survey. An exploratory case study of four Chinese manufacturing firms was first conducted to develop research hypotheses. A quantitative survey of data collected from 269 firms was then undertaken to test hypotheses.
Findings
Property-based, knowledge-based and personal-based RSIs positively impact firm sustainability performance and SCL. SCL fully mediates the relationship between knowledge-as well as personal-based RSIs and sustainability performance, and partially mediates the relationship between property-based RSIs and sustainability performance.
Practical implications
The study unveils important practical insights and approaches for firms endeavouring to achieve sustainability performance through RSIs and SCL.
Originality/value
The study extends the RSIs literature by linking RSIs and sustainability performance and differentiating the effects of different types of RSIs on sustainability performance. The theorized underlying mechanism advances the understanding of SCL in the link between RSIs and sustainability performance.
Details
Keywords
Thi-Ha-Trang Dang and Shao-Chi Chang
This study aims to examine and analyze the determinants of the stock market performance after firms announce sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) practices.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine and analyze the determinants of the stock market performance after firms announce sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) practices.
Design/methodology/approach
The study focuses on the long-run stock performance of firms announcing SSCM investments. The authors collected a sample of 280 SSCM announcements from 2010 to 2017 and estimated the buy-and-hold abnormal stock returns up to three years following the announcements. Numerous analyses were conducted to analyze the effect of environmental and social sustainability on long-run stock returns.
Findings
The findings show a significantly positive stock performance in the three-year period after announcements. Moreover, the evidence indicates that the post-announcement abnormal stock return has an inverted-U relationship with corporate environmental sustainability but not with corporate social sustainability. Finally, whether firms expand the firms' corporate sustainability strength to SSCM practices or not, firms secure long-run wealth as long as SSCM programs are carried out.
Research limitations/implications
The research focuses on the stock performance of USA public firms to draw conclusions about firms' market performance. This research leaves out the private and born-sustainable firms.
Practical implications
The findings offer firms incentives to invest in SSCM and suggest the magnitude of value provided by each sustainability type to help firms set firms' supply chain (SC) sustainable investment level.
Originality/value
The study is the first to investigate the long-run stock performance of firms announcing SSCM practices and the contribution of different sustainability types to stock performance.
Details
Keywords
Asad Shafiq, P. Fraser Johnson, Robert D. Klassen and Amrou Awaysheh
Firms are increasingly being pressured by the public, regulators and customers to ensure that their suppliers behave in a socially and ecologically sound manner. Yet, the…
Abstract
Purpose
Firms are increasingly being pressured by the public, regulators and customers to ensure that their suppliers behave in a socially and ecologically sound manner. Yet, the complexity and risks embedded in many supply chains makes this challenging, with monitoring practices offering one means to attenuate supply sustainability risk. Drawing on agency theory, the purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between sustainability and operations risk, supplier sustainability monitoring practices, supply improvement initiatives and firm performance.
Design/methodology/approach
This research uses data from a survey and archival sources from a sample of large US firms to empirically examine the relationship between sustainability and operations risk, supplier sustainability monitoring practices, supply improvement initiatives and firm performance.
Findings
Findings indicate that higher levels of perceived sustainability risk is related to greater monitoring of supplier sustainability practices by focal firms. Perceptions of higher operations risk are indirectly related to greater social monitoring through investment in supply improvement initiatives. Monitoring of supplier sustainability practices is also found to have a positive effect on focal firm performance.
Practical implications
Findings suggest that managers process operations risks and sustainability risks independently. Greater sustainability risk leads to increased sustainability monitoring, while greater operations risk leads to increased investment in supply improvement initiatives, which in turn leads to increased social monitoring. The research also indicates that behavior-oriented approaches, such as monitoring of supplier environmental and social practices, are an effective approach to improving firm sustainability performance. However, due to resource constraints, a challenge for supply chain managers is where and when to invest in behavior-oriented approaches for suppliers.
Originality/value
This research advances supply risk literature by exploring the effects of supply sustainability risk on the use of monitoring practices to manage supplier environmental and social behavior. Using a combination of survey and archival data to independently assess the implications of sustainability monitoring practices on firm sustainability performance, this study provides a methodology for evaluating the impact of sustainability monitoring practices on the triple bottom line in supply chain management.
Details
Keywords
Vicente Lima Crisóstomo, Fatima de Souza Freire and Maria Rafaela De Oliveira Freitas
Over the past two decades, there has been an increasing interest on corporate social responsibility by a number of constituencies – corporate managers, research scholars…
Abstract
Purpose
Over the past two decades, there has been an increasing interest on corporate social responsibility by a number of constituencies – corporate managers, research scholars, policymakers and investors. In this context, corporate sustainability performance (CSP) has been a central focus of attention. This paper aims to analyze CSP determinants in Brazil, an important emerging market. Firm CSP is proxied by the membership to the Corporate Sustainability Index (ISE) which comprises environmental, social, economic and governance issues.
Design/methodology/approach
Logit panel data models are estimated for a sample of 2,685 firm-year observations in the period of 2006-2015.
Findings
Results show that firms operating in environmental risky industries tend to be leading CSP firms in Brazil which might be a positive consequence of the Brazilian environmental legislation that could be forcing such firms to be more committed to environmental issues. High ownership concentration reduces the probability of a firm’s membership to the ISE index signaling that large controlling blockholders may not see sustainability and governance concerns as relevant. Larger Brazilian firms and the ones with more growth opportunities tend to be CSP leaders. Additionally, the financial crisis of 2007-2009 had a negative effect on CSP in Brazil.
Practical implications
The implications of the present findings may be of interest to academics and firms’ stakeholders. The fact that firms from environmental risky industries exhibit higher concerns with CSP, probably because of the Brazilian environmental rules that has advanced in the past decades, show the prominence of policymakers in the critical scenario of environmental issues. When designing regulation, policymakers should be conscious of the importance of social issues and pay attention to all ways available to foster firm sustainability concerns. The additional evidence that dominant shareholders do not appear to see CSP as a relevant concern in Brazil points out an agency conflict in which large blockholders’ interests may be prevailing over other stakeholders’ interests. That is important to academics who study the role played by ownership structure on firm’s policies. Furthermore, larger firms, as well as the ones with more growth opportunities, seem to invest in CSP, possibly for seeing it as a way to generate competitive advantage.
Originality/value
As per the authors’ knowledge this is the first paper to point out the relevance of industry environmental sensitivity over firm’s commitment to sustainability issues in Brazil. Additional evidence is provided on the negative effect of ownership concentration on the probability of firm’s membership to the ISE sustainability index using a longer period as well as robust logit panel data model estimates compared to previous studies. Unlike previous works, the paper analyzes the complexity of a sustainability index in the Brazilian market. Such index comprises corporate social responsibility, sustainability and corporate governance concerns. This set of concerns makes it a complex index and requires a deeper rationale for the determinants of CSP as proxied by the membership to it, under the stakeholder and agency theoretical frameworks.
Details