An analysis of the adherence of Brazilian organizations to GRI as a method of disclosure of corporate social responsibility

Abstract

Purpose: Organizations have published corporate social responsibility reports aimed at spreading their social responsibility. In this sense, the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) develops structured models of sustainability reports that help organizations design and disseminate them. The objective of this paper is to analyze the evolution of GRI adherence and the quality of CSR reports provided by Brazilian organizations.
 Methodology: Data for all Brazilian organizations that adhered to GRI, in the period 2000-2017, were collected for a total of 461 organizations and 2,142 observations. Descriptive analyses and tests for the difference in proportions have been processed.
 Results: The results show that there was a significant increase in the number of Brazilian organizations that joined GRI, with an average annual growth of around 48%. Business organizations are the ones that most disclose social action through GRI, although there are also organizations of other nature. There is a strong predominance of large companies. About the quality of information, it is perceived that about 90% of the statements already follow GRI guidelines, and more than half are not yet subject to an external audit. Although slight, there has been observed a breakthrough in the disclosure of reports that integrate financial and social information.
 Contributions of the Study: The study about CSR report disclosure in GRI format provides to academic community information on how this disclosure tool has been deemed relevant by business organizations or not in Brazil. The work provides additional contribution by presenting a detailed analysis of GRI reporting disclosure evolution by Brazilian organizations. In addition, the study contributes by pointing out that GRI has been established as an important channel for the dissemination of information on social actions and sustainability for Brazilian organizations. Regarding the academic point of view, the research collaborates in advancing the studies related to voluntary disclosure and in deepening the analysis of the quality of GRI reports drafted by organizations.