Corporate attributes affecting sustainability reporting: an Indian perspective

Abstract

PurposeThis paper aims to examine the relationship between sustainability reporting by companies and selected corporate specific attributes. It also highlights that the scope of sustainability reporting differs from company to company and industry to industry.Design/methodology/approachMethodology is based on content analysis of 158 Indian companies selected from BSE 200. It uses multiple regression analysis to identify significant corporate attributes.FindingsThe analysis in this study reveals that companies with large size, older age, having multinational operations and belonging to Software, IT and ITES and Oil and Gas industry have significant sustainability disclosure. However, company’s profits, leverage, growth and advertising intensity are negatively related with the extent of sustainability disclosure. Other variables are found to be insignificant.Research limitations/implicationsAs content analysis technique has been used for gathering sustainability information, subjective judgment involved in identifying and classifying the nature of reported sustainability information cannot be ruled out.Practical/implicationsThis study adds to the growing literature on international sustainability disclosure practices and their determinants. Hence, it has its implications for a number of interested groups as investors, accounting bodies, regulatory authorities, companies, government, stock exchanges, general public, academicians and researchers.Originality/valueAs an emerging trend, there are few empirical studies exploring the determinants of sustainability reporting. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper covers the impact of large number of corporate attributes in wholesome.