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The credibility of corporate social responsibility reports: evidence from the energy sector in emerging markets

The credibility of corporate social responsibility reports: evidence from the energy sector in... This study aims to explore the underlying motivation of companies in the energy sector for publishing corporate social responsibility (CSR) reports; is it to inform about their strong corporate social performances (CSP) or to seem as committed to CSR matters although they are not?Design/methodology/approachThe panel data of the energy and energy utility companies from the Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC) countries were analysed by panel logistic and panel ordered logistic regression methods.FindingsThe main results based on the panel data analyses of the energy and energy utility companies from the BRIC countries reveal that publishing a CSR report as per an international framework, Global Reporting Initiative framework for this study, is a signal for a strong CSP. The results also show that the quality of CSR reports is positively associated with the CSP of the companies.Practical implicationsThe positive correlation between the existence and quality of CSR reports and CSP identified in this study provides evidence for the credibility of CSR reports and hence forms the basis for the suggestion of the usage of CSR report as a reliable tool to assess the sustainability of the energy sector and emerging markets as well.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the limited literature on the nexus between CSR reporting and CSP for environmentally sensitive industries in emerging markets and enriches the knowledge by investigating overall CSP as well as its three pillars, namely, environmental, social and governance performance. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Social Responsibility Journal Emerald Publishing

The credibility of corporate social responsibility reports: evidence from the energy sector in emerging markets

Ates, Sinem
Social Responsibility Journal , Volume 19 (4): 18 – Mar 15, 2023
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References (44)

Publisher
Emerald Publishing
Copyright
© Emerald Publishing Limited
ISSN
1747-1117
eISSN
1747-1117
DOI
10.1108/srj-04-2021-0149
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

This study aims to explore the underlying motivation of companies in the energy sector for publishing corporate social responsibility (CSR) reports; is it to inform about their strong corporate social performances (CSP) or to seem as committed to CSR matters although they are not?Design/methodology/approachThe panel data of the energy and energy utility companies from the Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC) countries were analysed by panel logistic and panel ordered logistic regression methods.FindingsThe main results based on the panel data analyses of the energy and energy utility companies from the BRIC countries reveal that publishing a CSR report as per an international framework, Global Reporting Initiative framework for this study, is a signal for a strong CSP. The results also show that the quality of CSR reports is positively associated with the CSP of the companies.Practical implicationsThe positive correlation between the existence and quality of CSR reports and CSP identified in this study provides evidence for the credibility of CSR reports and hence forms the basis for the suggestion of the usage of CSR report as a reliable tool to assess the sustainability of the energy sector and emerging markets as well.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the limited literature on the nexus between CSR reporting and CSP for environmentally sensitive industries in emerging markets and enriches the knowledge by investigating overall CSP as well as its three pillars, namely, environmental, social and governance performance.

Journal

Social Responsibility Journal – Emerald Publishing

Published: Mar 15, 2023

Keywords: Corporate social reporting; Corporate social performance; Greenwashing; Substantive management strategy; Symbolic management strategy; Energy sector

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