The Benefits of Sustainability and Integrated Reporting: An Investigation of Accounting Majors' Perceptions

摘要: INTRODUCTION During the past decade, a continually increasing number of entities have started formal reporting their sustainability-related activities. These reports commonly are referred to as sustainability, sustainable development, corporate social responsibility (CSR), or environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reports. While some focus primarily on company's environmental impact (sometimes "green reporting"), most sustainability also issues. Stakeholder demand for information, not regulatory requirements, appears motivate this trend. The majority companies that currently issue follow guidelines provided by Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), which allows choice among three levels differ with respect types issues parameters performance indicators--that must be reported. GRI continue evolve 4th generation was recently released (GRI, 2013). Although can applied globally across many different industries, other guidelines, applicable specific nations/regions exist well. This makes inter-company comparability difficult. Currently, formally report activities standalone integrated annual financial 10-K statements. However, movement toward combining companies' results is gaining momentum; "Integrated Reporting" (IR). Some companies, such Nova Nordisk, Sony, Hyundai Engineering, already report. supported International Integrated Council's (IIRC) efforts develop IR framework. Sustainability especially very useful external stakeholders investors customers, but it extremely beneficial internal users enhancing ability effectively efficiently achieve long-run goals. Relevant, reliable, comparable, thus require commitment an organization's key personnel those responsible process. tend rely accounting professionals support function, requires even stronger from professionals. Accounting more likely supportive if they understand long-term benefits high-quality comparable believe information important. In addition, consensus necessary regarding scope, type, comprehensiveness will enable them assess comprehensive environment people just profit. majors represent future Many current grown up in strongly values ecologically, ethically, socially behavior. Their help trend lead organizations routinely profit, planet, "Triple Bottom Line." study investigates majors' perceptions reporting. focuses perceived multiple stakeholders, expected scope type reported, time frame, need global standards. finds overall students majoring both …