Volunteer or Forced: A Portrait of Sustainability Report in Indonesia

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the company's seriousness in preparing a sustainability report. The assessment of the indicators' suitability used the guidance of Global Reporting Initiatives and found that the company has tried to fulfill the GRI's Guidance. Theoretical framework: The guidelines that are recognized and widely accepted are GRI 63% of sustainability reports in the member countries of the N100 and 75% of sustainability reports in the member countries of G250 used GRI (KPMG, 2017). However, there is still needed to analyze and learn about the Global Reporting Initiatives since it is a recent development particularly in several guidance. Design/methodology/approach: This study used a qualitative approach to explain sustainability report disclosure and GRI guidance. Thirty-eight companies have been selected from Asia Sustainability Reporting 2018; by using purposive random sampling. There were only three companies chosen as the research subject. Data was collected with document analysis, observation, and depth-interview. Findings: This study showed that the award obtained by companies becomes one of the additional motivations related to the level of disclosure suitability. It was related to the seriousness of preparing the sustainability report that the Government can use as environmental organizations and academics to boost the company to implement the social responsibility and environment that implements the activity. It was helpful for stakeholders to assess the company's environmental and social performance. Research, Practical & Social implications: This study was a preliminary study that can be used as the guidance for further study implementation using the sustainability report from several countries. Practically, this study also contributes to the researchers and society in improving the scientific knowledge related to a portrait of sustainability report in Indonesia. Originality/value: This research meets the gap between the previous studies. It can be seen from the result of this study that the seriousness of arranging the sustainability report to fulfill the GRI’s guidance. Meanwhile, the other previous studies showed that the implemented reports are separated from daily company report since they only fulfil legislative condition.