Stakeholders' perceptions of Corporate Social Reporting (CSR) in Bangladesh

Abstract

The paper addresses a significant gap in the CSR literature indicated by the lack of studies that examine non-managerial stakeholders’ perceptions of the practice. Recent calls in the CSR literature have emphasised the importance of giving voice to non-managerial stakeholders groups. The research examines the perceptions of a wide group of stakeholders in the context of a developing country, Bangladesh. A series of semi-structured interviews were conducted with various stakeholder groups including employees, consumers, pressure groups, regulatory body and accounting professionals. The current practice of CSR in Bangladesh is interpreted in terms of ‘largely cosmetic responses’, ‘marketing strategy’ and ‘response to pressures from international markets’. Additionally, while some of the interviewees sharply criticised the current process of imposing social accounting codes/standards on developing countries which fail to consider the important local socio-economic context, the findings suggest that there is overwhelming support for mandatory externally verified CSR reporting based on the principles of peoples’ right to know, full disclosure/completeness, and relevance, which are anchored in the broader principles of transparency and accountability.

Divisions: College of Business and Social Sciences > Aston Business School > Accounting
College of Business and Social Sciences > Aston Business School > Economics, Finance & Entrepreneurship
College of Business and Social Sciences > Aston Business School
Additional Information: Aston Business School Research Papers are published by the Institute to bring the results of research in progress to a wider audience and to facilitate discussion. They will normally be published in a revised form subsequently and the agreement of the authors should be obtained before referring to its contents in other published works.
Uncontrolled Keywords: corporate sSocial reporting,Bangladesh,stakeholders
ISBN: 1-85449-608-5
Last Modified: 27 Mar 2024 08:27
Date Deposited: 11 Mar 2019 17:22
PURE Output Type: Working paper
Published Date: 2006-05-05
Authors: Belal, Ataur (ORCID Profile 0000-0001-6144-8907)

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Version: Accepted Version

License: Creative Commons Attribution

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