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Gatekeepers of sustainability information: exploring the roles of accountants

Author

Listed:
  • Stefan Schaltegger
  • Dimitar Zvezdov

Abstract

Purpose - – This paper aims to, with the continuous take-up of sustainability issues by companies and with the growing experience companies gain in dealing with this topic, raise the question of whether accountants are involved in the corporate practice of managing sustainability information, and if yes, what their role is. The actual involvement of accountants in corporate environmental and sustainability management has merely been investigated to date. Design/methodology/approach - – Based on 58 in-depth interviews with corporate practitioners, this paper, first, explores the roles in the sustainability accounting practice in companies which are considered to be leading in sustainability reporting in the UK and Germany. Second, the role of accountants is analysed from a power theory perspective. Findings - – The main findings suggest that accountants are partially involved in sustainability accounting practice but mainly exert a gate-keeping role between sustainability managers and higher management. The findings raise questions of how to better involve accountants in earlier steps of the sustainability management accounting process. Research limitations/implications - – The explorative research is based on interviews in European companies considered to be among the leaders in sustainability reporting. Practical implications - – Empirically investigating the role of accountants can help improve sustainability accounting practice and education. Should it turn out that the accountants have no other option but to act as gatekeepers, accounting education will play a major role in overcoming this deficiency in the pursuit of improved sustainability knowledge and performance. If, on the other hand, it is the defensive stance of accountants and the fear of losing power in corporate structures which motivates them to act as gatekeepers, mechanisms to motivate them to cooperate should be researched. Social implications - – The paper empirically investigates and discusses the accountant’s contribution to sustainability information management. This can help overcome organisational challenges impeding companies to successfully implement sustainability measures. Originality/value - – The paper investigates and discusses the accountant’s contribution to sustainability information management. The empirical analysis is based on a framework to identify different roles in sustainability accounting. Two possible development paths for a stronger constructive involvement of accountants are identified – to improve sustainability education for accountants if lack of sustainability knowledge is a major obstacle, and/or to improve incentives and structures motivating accountants to contribute with their information management expertise on all steps of the sustainability accounting process.

Suggested Citation

  • Stefan Schaltegger & Dimitar Zvezdov, 2015. "Gatekeepers of sustainability information: exploring the roles of accountants," Journal of Accounting & Organizational Change, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 11(3), pages 333-361, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:eme:jaocpp:jaoc-10-2013-0083
    DOI: 10.1108/JAOC-10-2013-0083
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Chiara Mio & Luciana Oranges Cezarino, 2023. "Competencies for Sustainable Development Goals Accounting: Educating public management for disclosure and reporting," MANAGEMENT CONTROL, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2023(2 Suppl.), pages 133-160.
    2. Daniela Artemisa Calu & Adriana Ana Maria Davidescu & Alina Mihaela Irimescu & Corina-Graziella Batca Dumitru & Viorel Avram, 2023. "Implementation of Energy Efficiency Improvement Measures in Romania and the Role of Professional Accountants," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 25(63), pages 479-479, April.
    3. Maria-Silvia Fota & Nicoleta-Elena Cristea & Alexandru Ureche & Nadia Albu, 2024. "Accountants’ Competencies for Sustainability Reporting: An Exploratory Study," Journal of Accounting and Management Information Systems, Faculty of Accounting and Management Information Systems, The Bucharest University of Economic Studies, vol. 23(2), pages 446-460, June.
    4. Vicky Ching Gu, 2023. "How independent should a board be? Examine the corporate social responsibility performance in the US healthcare sector," Service Business, Springer;Pan-Pacific Business Association, vol. 17(3), pages 695-721, September.
    5. Vanini, Ute & Bochert, Saskia, 2024. "Integration of sustainability issues into management accounting textbooks," Journal of Accounting Education, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).

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