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Sustainability Content on Oil and Gas Company Websites

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  • Sylvie Berthelot
  • Michel Coulmont
  • Kim Thibault

Abstract

This study examines the sustainability content and the determinants underlying such content on Canadian oil and gas company websites. The website content of 68 of the largest oil firms listed on the S&P/TSX was evaluated using an index based on each of the three Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) components (environmental, social and economic). The characteristics of the firms were then regressed on the content analysis. The results suggest that the larger the firm and the greater its media exposure, the more likely it is to include sustainability disclosures on its website. Firm profitability and leverage seem to be unrelated to these types of disclosures. This study provides empirical observations that could be useful for stakeholders wishing to obtain information about firms¡¯ sustainability practices and for various organizations involved in developing sustainability disclosure guidelines. The results tend to show that, despite the growing popularity of sustainability reporting benchmarks like the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the voluntary nature of sustainability disclosures has elicited a variety of disclosure practices on organizations¡¯ websites.

Suggested Citation

  • Sylvie Berthelot & Michel Coulmont & Kim Thibault, 2013. "Sustainability Content on Oil and Gas Company Websites," Business and Management Research, Business and Management Research, Sciedu Press, vol. 2(1), pages 94-103, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:jfr:bmr111:v:2:y:2013:i:1:p:94-103
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Matthias S. Fifka & Maria Drabble, 2012. "Focus and Standardization of Sustainability Reporting – A Comparative Study of the United Kingdom and Finland," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 21(7), pages 455-474, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Heiko Thimm & Karsten Boye Rasmussen, 2021. "Website disclosure of environmental compliance management—the case of European production companies," Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, Springer;Association of Environmental Studies and Sciences, vol. 11(4), pages 648-670, December.
    2. Obiamaka Adaeze Nwobu & Collins Ngwakwe & Akintola Owolabi & Kingsley Adeyemo, 2021. "An Assessment of Sustainability Disclosures in Oil and Gas Listed Companies in Nigeria," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 11(4), pages 352-361.

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    JEL classification:

    • R00 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General - - - General
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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