The state of sustainability reporting assurance in the United Kingdom: perspectives of assurance providers and stakeholders

Sustainability reporting assurance is considered as a practice that enhances the credibility and quality of reported information (Dando and Swift, 2003; ACCA, 2004). However, studies have found significant variances and inconsistencies that exist across assurance statements but little attention has been paid to understanding more about the nature of the variances beyond the examination of assurance statements. The apparent variances affect the ability of sustainability assurance to deliver robust levels of stakeholder accountability; as such a detailed exploration behind the dynamics of stakeholder consideration in the practice is required. Hence, this study presents an updated and expanded assessment of sustainability reporting assurance practices by adopting a three-stage mixed methods investigative approach. The first stage is a content analysis of assurance statements published by FTSE350 companies using a specifically developed evaluation template. Core elements such as scope of assurance, level of assurance, addresses, guidelines used, independence of assurance providers, assurance work undertaken, stakeholder consideration and conclusions were of particular focus. Data obtained on these elements were explored further in the subsequent stages of the study. The second stage involved semi-structured interviews with 13 assurance providers focusing on their roles in the process and the apparent variances that appear in assurance statements. The third stage is comprised of further semi-structured interviews with representatives of 11 different stakeholders. All data generated were analysed and interpreted through the audit theoretical conception by Power (1991, 1994, 1999) as well as the legitimacy, institutional and stakeholder theories. Sustainability reporting assurance remains largely a valuable practice but there is a fundamental absence of consistent and comprehensive shared meaning and approach on the practice. This has manifested in the different application of sustainability assurance processes thus making it challenging for a single approach to be generally accepted. Also, considerable evidence of managerial capture was observed as assurance providers confirmed the vast degree of influence exerted by reporting companies in assurance processes, an issue that no direct solution or effort was acknowledged to assist in alleviating. The presence of a sustainability assurance expectations gap serves as a key factor that drives the severe caution expressed by stakeholders about the practice. The lack of stakeholder influence was apparent, thus limiting their ability to put companies and assurance providers under pressure towards a more stakeholder oriented provision of sustainability assurance. In general, the findings of this study call into question the ability of the current state of sustainability reporting assurance to enhance transparency and hence discharge effective corporate accountability to stakeholders

Issues in sustainability reporting assurance: evidence from interviews

Purpose This paper examines the processes of sustainability reporting assurance (SRA) and the influence they have on shaping perception from disclosures. Given the evidence of inconsistencies and ambiguities in assurance processes, this paper examine how legitimacy is attained and maintained at different stages of SRA. Design/methodology/approach Evidence collected from 23 semi-structured interviews with assurance providers (APs), consultants, professionals and NGOs (non-APs) was used to conduct a thematic analysis from the perspectives of interviewees. Findings Assurance Providers (APs) and non-Assurance Providers (non-APs) are united in recognising the value of SRA, although, perspectives on transparency between the two groups differ. Experience and industry knowledge are essential to SRA delivery with non-APs preferring accounting APs. Nevertheless, non-APs are concerned about the role of companies in deciding assurance scope as it can affect scrutiny. APs favour data accuracy (as opposed to data relevance) assurance due to team dynamics and internal review influences with the latter also restricting assurance innovation. APs are interested in accessing better evidence and stakeholder engagement evaluations. Providing advisory services was not rejected by all APs. The perspectives of APs and non-APs demonstrate how progress in SRA has gained pragmatic legitimacy with noticeable gaps that serve to undermine attainment of moral legitimacy. Research limitations/implications SRA is a developing practice that will adopt changes as it continues to mature, some of these changes could impact findings in this research. General perspectives on SRA was sought from interviewees, this affected the ability for an in-depth focus on any of the range of interesting SRA issues that arose over the course of the research. Interviews were conducted with relevant parties in the SRA space that operate in the UK. Perspectives of parties outside the UK were not solicited. Practical implications Companies make an important decision to commission SRA, findings in this research have highlighted specific non-APs issues of concern that can be useful in structuring operations and reporting regimes to facilitate assurance procedures. The findings will also be helpful to APs as they can direct more emphasis on stakeholder concerns towards demonstrating greater stakeholder accountability. Regulatory and standard setters can enact appropriate policies that can potentially drive the practice forward for assessment of cognitive legitimacy. Originality/value This research demonstrates the applicability of financial audit quality indicators in SRA processes; extends the debate around the effectiveness of new audit fields and highlight the challenges of maintaining legitimacy with different audiences. Social implications (limit 100 words) The findings provide relevant account of stakeholder voices on the quality of corporate disclosures that has a direct effect on the wellbeing of communities and sustainability of societies. Collective stakeholder input on expectations can shape sustainability discourse

Isolation and Identification of Air Borne Fungal Spores and Fragments in Buildings Within Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Nigeria

- Indoor air contains a complex mixture of microorganisms, microorganism fragments, and by products such as molds, bacteria, endotoxins, mycotoxins, and volatile microbial organic compounds. Airborne fungi and bacteria can be toxic, allergenic and/or infectious. A research was conducted to determine the number and types of airborne fungal spores in Buildings of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Nigeria. Five (5) areas were chosen within the University for the Survey, these were student Hostel, Staff Quarters, Botanical garden, Microbiology laboratory and city campus of Usmanu Danfodiyo University. . A total number of fifteen (15) petri dishes containing potato dextrose agar each were vertically placed in each sampler and exposed at end of each height and site for 10 and 20 minutes respectively. A total of thirteen (13) different fungal specie were identified namely; Aspergillus Niger, A. flavus, A fumigates, A. ustus, A. terreus, Fusarium solani, F. oxysporum, Alterneria altenata, Rhizopus oryzae, R. stolonifer, Helminthosporum sp., Penicillum candidum and Absedia corymbifera. Aspergillus Niger had the highest frequency of occurrence of (14.9%), Helminthosporus species had the least frequency of occurrence of (1.5%). Conclusively it was observed that the concentration of fungal spores was high in the upper surface than the ground level at the time of the survey

Transport on flexible Rydberg aggregates using circular states

Assemblies of interacting Rydberg atoms show promise for the quantum simulation of transport phenomena, quantum chemistry and condensed matter systems. Such schemes are typically limited by the finite lifetime of Rydberg states. Circular Rydberg states have the longest lifetimes among Rydberg states but lack the energetic isolation in the spectrum characteristic of low angular momentum states. The latter is required to obtain simple transport models with few electronic states per atom. Simple models can however even be realized with circular states, by exploiting dipole-dipole selection rules or external fields. We show here that this approach can be particularly fruitful for scenarios where quantum transport is coupled to atomic motion, in adiabatic excitation transport or quantum simulations of electron-phonon coupling in light harvesting. Additionally, we explore practical limitations of flexible Rydberg aggregates with circular states and to which extent interactions among circular Rydberg atoms can be described using classical models.Comment: 9 Pages, 5 Figure

Effect of titania addition on the microstructure and crystallization behaviour of glass-ceramics prepared from local raw materials

The effect of titania and composition on the microstructure of glass-ceramics prepared from local raw materials was investigated using two-step heat treatment at 321-621oC as nucleation and crystal growth temperature, respectively. The crystallization behaviour was investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and emission scanning microscopy (SEM). The phases assemblage was precipitated and identified as wollastonite, andradite, monticellite and titanate dispersed in the matrix of residual glassy phase. The microstructure is characterized by dense, needle, circular, ellipsoidal, flake and lamellar twinning-like crystals dispersed in the amorphous phase. Also, fewer micro sized pores were detected between grains. The glass-ceramics showed excellent resistance to acid and alkali attack due to prolong heat treatment and the presence of crystalline phases that were dispersed in the matrix of residual glass. The glass-ceramics to which 10wt% TiO2 was incorporated and heat treated for 4 hours showed excellent chemical durability. Keywords: Titania addition, microstructure, crystallization, glass-ceramics, local raw material

Corporate incentives for obtaining higher level of carbon assurance: seeking legitimacy or improving performance?

Purpose - With the growing attention around carbon emissions disclosure, the demand for external carbon assurance on emissions reports has been increasing by stakeholders as it provides additional credibility and confidence. This study investigates the association between the higher level of external carbon assurance and improvement in a firm's carbon emissions. It provides an understanding of corporate incentives for obtaining a higher level of carbon assurance, particularly in relation to carbon performance enhancements. Design/methodology/approach - Data are collected from 170 US companies for the period 2012-2017, and are analysed using a change analysis. Generalized method of moment (GMM) is used to address endogeneity. Findings - Following the rationales taken by legitimacy and ‘outside-in’ management views, our findings reveal that a higher level of carbon assurance (i.e. reasonable assurance) marginally improves firms’ carbon performance (i.e. reported carbon emissions). This is consistent with ‘outside-in’ management view suggesting that a higher level of assurance could be utilised as a tool for accessing more information about stakeholders’ needs and concerns, which can be useful in enhancing carbon performance. Research limitations/implications - Our findings are generalizable to US firms and may not extend to other contexts. Practical implication – The implication of this study for companies is that a high level of sustainability assurance is a useful tool to access detailed information about stakeholder concerns, of which internalisation can help to marginally improve carbon performance. For policymakers, the insights into and enhanced understanding of the incentives for obtaining carbon assurance can help policymakers to develop effective policies and initiatives for carbon assurance. Considering the possible improvements in carbon performance when obtaining a high level of sustainability verification, governments need to consider mandating carbon assurance. Originality/value – This study extends the existing studies of assurance in sustainability context as well as in carbon context by explaining why companies voluntarily get expensive external verification (i.e. higher level of assurance) of their carbon emissions disclosure. This study responds to calls in the literature for empirical research investigating the association between environmental performance and external assurance with a focus on level of assurance

Synthesis and investigations on iron (ii) Schiff base derived from 2-hydroxybenzylaldehyde and l-valine

A Schiff base was prepared from the reaction of 2-hydroxybenzylaldehyde and L-valine as reported. The reaction of the Schiff base with iron (II) chloride gave N – (2 – hydroxybenzyl) - L -α - valine iron (II) complex compound. The Schiff base is a crystalline white, has a yield of 66 percent and amelting point of 225oC. The complex compound is pale brown, has a yield of 62% and decomposition temperature of 278oC. The ligand and its iron (II) complex compound are insoluble in most common solvents but are soluble in ethanol-water mixture. The molar conductance of the complex compound determined is 6.4 ohm cm2 mol-1. The infra-red spectral measurement of the ligand and its iron (II) complex compound showed bands in the range 1510 -1530cm-1, assignable to v(C=N) stretching vibrations. The broad bands in the range 3271 - 3415cm-1 observed in the ligand and iron (II) Schiff base complex are assigned to v(O-H) stretching vibrations. The dissociation constant (pKa) of the Schiff base determined is 8.84. The ratio of the Schiff base to the iron (II) ion in the complex determined using pH measurements is 1:1

Spectroscopic and Potentiometric Studies of N-(2- Hydroxybenzyl)-L-&#945-Valine Cobalt (II) Complex

A Schiff base was prepared from the reaction of 2-hydroxybenzylaldehyde and L-valine. The reaction of the Schiff base and cobalt (II) chloride formed 2-hydroxybenzylaldehyde and L-valine cobalt (II) complex. The Schiff base is crystalline white and has a yield of 66%. The prepared complex is pale brown, has a yield of 68% and decomposition temperature of 274oC. The Schiff base and its cobalt (II) complex are insoluble in most common solvents however they are soluble in ethanol-water mixture. The molar conductance of the cobalt (II) Schiff base complex compound determined is 5.2 ohm cm2 mol-1. The infra-red spectra of the Schiff base showed band in the range 1480 -1520cm-1, assignable to v(C=N) stretching vibrations, the same band is observable in the cobalt (II) Schiff base complex. The broad band in the range 3270 - 3420cm-1 observed in Schiff base is assigned to v(O-H) stretching vibrations. The dissociation constant (pKa) of N – (2 – hydroxybenzyl) - L -a - valine Schiff base determined is 8.84. The average number of the Schiff base to cobalt (II) ion is 1 (one)

Brewer’s spent grain: A review of its potentials and applications

Most developing nations continuously produce abundant agro-industrial residues such as brewer’s spent grain (BSG), which are underexploited. BSG as the main by-product of brewing industry, representing  approximately 85% of total by-products generated, is rich in cellulose and non-cellulosic polysaccharides and has a strong potential to be recycled. Due to the global intense pressure towards green environmental  technology, both academic and industrial researchers are putting more efforts to reduce the amount of such wastes by finding alternative uses apart from the current general use as an animal feed. Thus, several products are increasingly being sought from BSG. This article intends to review some of the products that can be realized from BSG and also to stimulate researchers to explore further, especially in developing new value-added products.Key words: Brewer’s spent grain, polysaccharide, animal feed, residue