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The future of non‐financial businesses reporting: Learning from the Covid‐19 pandemic

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  • Abeer Hassan
  • Ahmed A. Elamer
  • Suman Lodh
  • Lee Roberts
  • Monomita Nandy

Abstract

In this paper we conceptually identify the gap in the literature about lack of business's awareness in non ‐financial activities, especially biodiversity, which can be responsible for crisis like Covid‐19 which can adversely affect the global economy. We recommend approaches to existing business about how to enhance the quality of reporting by considering non‐human element in reporting and making it more comprehensive for the stakeholders. We adopt Actor Network Theory (ANT) and the Natural Inventory Model to support our argument that nature consists of both human and non‐human. From our observation about the Covid‐19 crisis and by consulting the existing relevant literature on CSR, Covid‐19, non‐financial reporting and integrated reports (IR), we propose the implication of non‐financial reporting by companies based on a theoretical framework. We recommend that companies should implement/adopt Circular Economy concept for sustainable business model and report on biodiversity and extinction accounting in more structured and mandatory way via producing IR to create value on short, medium and long terms. This is the first paper to tackle the Covid‐19 crisis and offer solution for future reporting. The findings will add value in the academia and society.

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  • Abeer Hassan & Ahmed A. Elamer & Suman Lodh & Lee Roberts & Monomita Nandy, 2021. "The future of non‐financial businesses reporting: Learning from the Covid‐19 pandemic," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 28(4), pages 1231-1240, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:corsem:v:28:y:2021:i:4:p:1231-1240
    DOI: 10.1002/csr.2145
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    2. Jingchen Zhao, 2021. "Reimagining Corporate Social Responsibility in the Era of COVID-19: Embedding Resilience and Promoting Corporate Social Competence," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-28, June.
    3. Ibrahim, Awad Elsayed Awad & Elamer, Ahmed A. & Ezat, Amr Nazieh, 2021. "The convergence of big data and accounting: innovative research opportunities," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).

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