Sustainability Disclosure, Social and

Transcript:Sustainability Disclosure, Social and:
Sustainability Disclosure, Social and Environmental Accounting: Implications for Sustainable Development Goals Presenter: Dr. Atishwar Pandaram Team Members: Dr. Suwastika Naidu, Professor Arvind Patel and Professor Anand Chand 1 Outline of the Presentation 1.0 Introduction 2.0 Literature Review 3.0 Research Methodology 4.0 Research Findings and Discussions 5.0 Conclusion 2 1.0 Introduction Sustainability disclosures (SD) involve measuring, reporting and ensuring accountability to the stakeholders for the organisations progress towards achieving sustainable development goals (Global Reporting Initiative, 2006). In recognition of the continuing emphasis on green awareness, extensive research is conducted in the area of social and environmental accounting (Johari & Komathy, 2019; Sobhani et al., 2012). Small Island Developing Countries (SIDS’s), including Fiji Islands are far behind in the area of sustainability research. 3 But first, How can the success of an business firms be measured? ? 4 Triple Bottom Line Approach (1) Financial Performance (2)Environmental Performance (3)Social Performance 5 Triple bottom line 6 Howard et al. (2016) 2.0 Literature Review Globally, one of the major agenda items for top businesses is sustainable development (Johari & Komathy, 2019). Stakeholders have shown great interest on issues concerning sustainable capital markets (Ofoegbu et al., 2018). Organisations are now reporting their sustainability practices on their websites and annual reports. Most of the developed countries have recognized CSD with Japan leading the list of the countries (Johari & Komathy, 2019; Sobhani et al., 2012). 7 Sustainability: Triple bottom line John Elkington, 1994 – for sustainable development, examine: People (social) Planet (environment) Profits (economic) 8 2.1 Literature Review (Con’t) The leading authors in the area of sustainability disclosure, social and environmental accounting are Johari & Komathy (2019), Aifuwa (2019), Ofoegbu et al. (2018), Joseph (2016), and Sobhani et al., (2012). Only a limited number of studies have examined triple bottom line reporting in SIDS’s (Johari & Komathy, 2019; Sobhani et al., 2012). Lodhia (2000) carried out content analysis 8 listed companies in the South Pacific Stock Exchange and found that the reporting by public companies is focused on enhancing their public image. This study found that the larger companies disclosed more social information as compared to small companies. 9 2.1 Literature Review (Con’t) Lodhia (2003) found that accountants are conspicuously absent from environmental accounting and reporting in organisations. Why? Tanzil (2015) found that there is low level of disclosure practiced by the listed companies in Fiji. This study contributes to the existing literature as it provides insights