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Effect of Stakeholders’ Pressure on Transparency of Sustainability Reports within the GRI Framework

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  • Belen Fernandez-Feijoo
  • Silvia Romero
  • Silvia Ruiz

Abstract

Transparency is a quality of corporate social responsibility communication that enhances the relationship between the investors and the company. The objective of this paper is to analyze if the transparency of the sustainability reports is affected by the relationship of companies in different industries with their stakeholders. If this were the case, it would indicate that the pressure of significant stakeholders determines the required level of transparency of the reports. We find that the pressure of some groups of stakeholders (customers, clients, employees, and environment) improves the quality of transparency of the reports. We extend previous research by studying the effect of stakeholder group pressure on transparency when reporting sustainability. Our results show that transparency is affected by ownership, along with size and global region. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2014

Suggested Citation

  • Belen Fernandez-Feijoo & Silvia Romero & Silvia Ruiz, 2014. "Effect of Stakeholders’ Pressure on Transparency of Sustainability Reports within the GRI Framework," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 122(1), pages 53-63, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:122:y:2014:i:1:p:53-63
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-013-1748-5
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