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CSR reporting communication: Defective reporting models or misapplication?

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  • Nicolas Garcia‐Torea
  • Belen Fernandez‐Feijoo
  • Marta De La Cuesta

Abstract

This paper studies whether the failure of corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting practices to enable effective CSR communication allowing stakeholders to appreciate firms' CSR is due to the reporting model guiding firms in elaborating sustainability reports, the companies' application of the model, or both. Drawing on the communication theory and using interpretive textual analysis, the paper specifically assesses Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) guidelines, the most widespread CSR reporting model worldwide, and its application by a leading sustainability reporter. The findings indicate that GRI guidelines suffer from significant limitations that hamper the production of reports accounting for CSR impacts. This paper contributes to critical research on CSR reporting practices and calls for redirecting current reporting practice towards a more effective approach. Additionally, it also responds to the need to approach CSR reporting research relying on theories different from the one commonly used.

Suggested Citation

  • Nicolas Garcia‐Torea & Belen Fernandez‐Feijoo & Marta De La Cuesta, 2020. "CSR reporting communication: Defective reporting models or misapplication?," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 27(2), pages 952-968, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:corsem:v:27:y:2020:i:2:p:952-968
    DOI: 10.1002/csr.1858
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    3. Michal Šindelář, 2024. "Corporate social responsibility in annual reports of Czech and Slovak companies [Společenská odpovědnost firem ve výročních zprávách českých a slovenských společností]," Český finanční a účetní časopis, Prague University of Economics and Business, vol. 2024(2), pages 4-22.
    4. Cornelie Crous & John R. Owen & Lochner Marais & Samkelisiwe Khanyile & Deanna Kemp, 2021. "Public disclosure of mine closures by listed South African mining companies," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 28(3), pages 1032-1042, May.
    5. Vitiana L'Abate & Nicola Raimo & Francesco Albergo & Filippo Vitolla, 2024. "Social media to disseminate circular economy information. An empirical analysis on Twitter," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 31(1), pages 528-539, January.
    6. Yanqi Sun & Jenny Jing Wang & Kevin Tairan Huang, 2022. "Does IFRS and GRI adoption impact the understandability of corporate reports by Chinese listed companies?," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 62(2), pages 2879-2904, June.
    7. Wesley Friske & Atanas Nik Nikolov & Todd Morgan, 2024. "Making the grade: An analysis of sustainability reporting standards and Global Reporting Initiative adherence ratings," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 31(3), pages 2098-2108, May.

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