Corporate perceptions of web‐based environmental communication

Purpose - This study seeks the views of environmental and communication managers in three mining companies on the use of the world wide web for environmental communication. Design/methodology/approach - Interviews were utilised to gather data for this research. Findings - Prior literature on web‐based environmental communication has a primary emphasis on the content of environmental disclosure on web sites. It is highlighted in this paper that one must move beyond merely analysing web sites for environmental information in order to gain an in‐depth understanding of the practice of web‐based environmental communication. Research limitations/implications - Very few studies to date have sought the opinions of corporate executives on the web‐based environmental communication practice of their companies and this study addresses this gap in the literature. Practical implications - This study obtains “first hand knowledge” of web‐based environmental communication in Australia's minerals industry through its interviews. Originality/value - The study provides an in‐depth understanding of current web‐based environmental communication practices in an environmentally sensitive industry and suggests that both technical and socio‐political factors impact current practices. This has implications for the choice of theoretical perspectives for analysing web‐based environmental communication practices.