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Accounting and sustainable development: Reflections and propositions

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  • Bebbington, Jan
  • Russell, Shona
  • Thomson, Ian

Abstract

This paper emerges from an invitation to reflect upon the achievements of social and environmental accounting as well as to identify the challenges that lie ahead as the field continues its engagement with the goal of sustainable development. Three perspectives are developed in pursuit of that aim, namely: exploring the nature of the issues and mode of academic inquiry that is ‘fit for purpose’ given the demands of sustainable development; considering if a de-centring of accounting and the embrace of more holistic versions of accountability would be productive for future scholarship; and an exploration of how we might conceptualise ‘engagement’ with practice in this context (and what is meant by practice and practitioner). Taken together, this paper seeks to provide points of provocation and encouragement to social and environmental accountants, critical accounting scholars and to those seeking to understand sustainable development scholarship and action.

Suggested Citation

  • Bebbington, Jan & Russell, Shona & Thomson, Ian, 2017. "Accounting and sustainable development: Reflections and propositions," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 48(C), pages 21-34.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:crpeac:v:48:y:2017:i:c:p:21-34
    DOI: 10.1016/j.cpa.2017.06.002
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    2. Francesco Grimaldi & Alessandra Caragnano & Marianna Zito & Massimo Mariani, 2020. "Sustainability Engagement and Earnings Management: The Italian Context," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-16, June.
    3. Gilbert Kwabena Amoako & Anokye M. Adam & Clement Lamboi Arthur & George Tackie, 2021. "Institutional isomorphism, environmental management accounting and environmental accountability: a review," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 23(8), pages 11201-11216, August.
    4. Cuenca Botey, Luis Emilio & Célérier, Laure, 2023. "On the relentless labour of deconstructing domination logics: The case of decolonial critical accounting research in South America," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 93(C).
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    8. Chee Kwong Lau & Jia Ci Wong, 2023. "The integration of Sustainable Development Goals into businesses sustainability management: a reporting perspective," International Journal of Disclosure and Governance, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 20(4), pages 490-505, December.
    9. Elena NECHITA, 2019. "Analysis of the Relationship between Accounting and Sustainable Development. The Role of Accounting and Accounting Profession on Sustainable Development," The Audit Financiar journal, Chamber of Financial Auditors of Romania, vol. 17(155), pages 520-520.
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    12. Bablu Kumar Dhar & Sabrina Maria Sarkar & Foster K. Ayittey, 2022. "Impact of social responsibility disclosure between implementation of green accounting and sustainable development: A study on heavily polluting companies in Bangladesh," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 29(1), pages 71-78, January.
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    15. Jean Christian Ewane Missomba & Josiane Gaëlle Djeugou Ymele & Alexis Ngantchou, 2020. "La diffusion des informations environnementales par les entreprises camerounaises : Typologie des acteurs et des pratiques comptables," Post-Print halshs-03133686, HAL.
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    19. Gloria Fiorani & Chiara Di Gerio, 2022. "Reporting University Performance through the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda: Lessons Learned from Italian Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-19, July.
    20. Gholamreza Zandi & Hoyoung Lee, 2019. "Factors Affecting Environmental Management Accounting and Environmental Performance: An Empirical Assessment," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 9(6), pages 342-348.
    21. Chakhovich, Terhi & Virtanen, Tuija, 2023. "Accountability for sustainability – An institutional entrepreneur as the representative of future stakeholders," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    22. Muhammad Atif & Md. Samsul Alam & Mohammed Hossain, 2020. "Firm sustainable investment: Are female directors greener?," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(8), pages 3449-3469, December.
    23. Larrinaga, Carlos & Garcia-Torea, Nicolas, 2022. "An ecological critique of accounting: The circular economy and COVID-19," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    24. Petricică Alis Elena, 2023. "The Role of Accountants and the Accounting Profession in Achieving the Sustainable Development," Proceedings of the International Conference on Business Excellence, Sciendo, vol. 17(1), pages 752-762, July.
    25. Jose Manuel Diaz‐Sarachaga, 2021. "Monetizing impacts of Spanish companies toward the Sustainable Development Goals," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 28(4), pages 1313-1323, July.

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