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CSR Communication Strategies of Colombian Business Groups: An Analysis of Corporate Reports

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  • Jaime-Andres Correa-Garcia

    (Department of Accounting, School of Economics, University of Antioquia, Calle 67 53-108 Bl., Medellin 13-114, Colombia)

  • Maria-Antonia Garcia-Benau

    (Department of Accounting, University of Valencia, Avenida dels Tarongers, s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain)

  • Emma Garcia-Meca

    (Department of Finance and Accounting, Technical University of Cartagena, Calle Real 3, 30201 Cartagena, Spain)

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to assess stakeholder orientation and corporate social responsibility (CSR) communication strategies in the business groups (BGs) of an emerging economy by means of content analysis. We worked with 30 non-financial BGs taken from the Colombian Stock Exchange. The study uses as its unit of analysis corporate reports that have been classified into four categories: annual reports (ARs), sustainability reports (SRs), combined reports (CRs), and integrated reports (IRs). The results show that IRs are the most similar reports, that Colombian BGs are mainly employee-oriented (ARs, SRs, CRs) and shareholder-oriented (IRs), and that response and involvement communication strategies are the most commonly used. Our research has theoretical and practical implications based on the assumption that the study of corporate reports has particular importance for those BGs with diversification strategies and international orientation, since it opens possibilities for future research.

Suggested Citation

  • Jaime-Andres Correa-Garcia & Maria-Antonia Garcia-Benau & Emma Garcia-Meca, 2018. "CSR Communication Strategies of Colombian Business Groups: An Analysis of Corporate Reports," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-19, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:5:p:1602-:d:146733
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Renáta Myšková & Petr Hájek, 2018. "Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility in the Text of Annual Reports—The Case of the IT Services Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-18, November.
    2. Xiaolong Liu & Wei-Bin Lee & Quy-Anh Bui & Chia-Chen Lin & Hsiao-Ling Wu, 2018. "Biometrics-Based RSA Cryptosystem for Securing Real-Time Communication," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-15, October.
    3. Domenico Sardanelli & Francesca Conte & Agostino Vollero & Alfonso Siano, 2021. "CSR signals: exploring their use in controversial industries," Italian Journal of Marketing, Springer, vol. 2021(3), pages 249-266, September.
    4. Carmen Córdova & Ana Zorio-Grima & Paloma Merello, 2018. "Carbon Emissions by South American Companies: Driving Factors for Reporting Decisions and Emissions Reduction," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-16, July.
    5. Rumeng Cui & Zhong Ma & Longfeng Wang, 2022. "Allocation of Decision Rights and CSR Disclosure: Evidence from Listed Business Groups in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-20, March.
    6. Beata Zatwarnicka-Madura & Dariusz Siemieniako & Ewa Glińska & Yauheniya Sazonenka, 2019. "Strategic and Operational Levels of CSR Marketing Communication for Sustainable Orientation of a Company: A Case Study from Bangladesh," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-19, January.

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