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Why Do Firms in Emerging Markets Report? A Stakeholder Theory Approach to Study the Determinants of Non-Financial Disclosure in Latin America

Author

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  • Ignacio J. Duran

    (Institute for Social Innovation, ESADE Business School – Ramon Llull University, Av. Torre Blanca 59, Sant Cugat del Vallès, 08172 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Pablo Rodrigo

    (Strategy Department, Escuela de Negocios, Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, Av. Padre Hurtado 750, Viña del Mar 2562340, Chile)

Abstract

Even though literature studying the determinants of non-financial disclosure (NFD) is pervasive, Latin America has been overlooked in this tradition. In this sense, scholars have not evidenced which factors compel companies in this context to report this information despite its voluntary nature. Drawing on Stakeholder Theory as a basis, we derive eight possible antecedents of NFD from extant literature and test them in a sample of 643 Latin American firms for a 10 year span (2006–2015). Using a logit panel model, our evidence indicates that firm size, market-to-book ratio, systematic risk, and industry membership are factors that pressure companies to report. However, contrary to our conceptual development we find that profitability and regulatory quality inversely affects NFD. This leads us to posit that Latin America is unique in terms of reporting because agency costs may arise when disclosing data and also that feeble regulations could summon firms to fill this void through NFD. We thus contribute to this strand by revealing that stakeholders in this milieu are essentially different than in developed countries, and therefore the underlying reasons to engage in NFD also differ.

Suggested Citation

  • Ignacio J. Duran & Pablo Rodrigo, 2018. "Why Do Firms in Emerging Markets Report? A Stakeholder Theory Approach to Study the Determinants of Non-Financial Disclosure in Latin America," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-20, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:9:p:3111-:d:166875
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    5. Suraiyah Akbar & Craig Deegan, 2021. "Analysis of corporate social disclosures of the apparel industry following crisis: an institutional approach," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 61(2), pages 3565-3600, June.
    6. Hang Thi Thuy Pham & Sung-Chang Jung & Su-Yol Lee, 2020. "Governmental Ownership of Voluntary Sustainability Information Disclosure in an Emerging Economy: Evidence from Vietnam," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(16), pages 1-21, August.
    7. Isaac Monday Ikpor & Enrico Bracci & Clementina Iruka Kanu & Riccardo Ievoli & Benedette Okezie & Sunday Mlanga & Charles Ogbaekirigwe, 2022. "Drivers of Sustainability Accounting and Reporting in Emerging Economies: Evidence from Nigeria," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-19, March.
    8. Adriana Tiron-Tudor & Cristina Silvia Nistor & Cristina Alexandrina ªtefãnescu & Gianluca Zanellato, 2019. "Encompassing Non-Financial Reporting in A Coercive Framework for Enhancing Social Responsibility: Romanian Listed Companies’ Case," The AMFITEATRU ECONOMIC journal, Academy of Economic Studies - Bucharest, Romania, vol. 21(52), pages 590-590, August.
    9. Jaime F. Lavin & Alejandro A. Montecinos-Pearce, 2021. "ESG Disclosure in an Emerging Market: An Empirical Analysis of the Influence of Board Characteristics and Ownership Structure," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-20, September.

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