Coercive Pressures and Anti-corruption Reporting: The Case of ASEAN Countries

This paper aims to investigate the extent of anti-corruption reporting by ASEAN companies and examine whether coercive factors influence the level of disclosure. The authors adopt indicators from the Global Reporting Initiative version 4.0 to measure the extent of anti-corruption disclosures in 117 companies’ reports. Informed by a coercive isomorphism tenet drawn from the institutional theory, the authors propose that several institutional factors influence the extent of their voluntary disclosures. The findings reveal that a large degree of variability difference between the average levels of anti-corruption disclosure in Thailand (434 words) and the Philippines (149 words). The dependence on government tenders and foreign ownership are associated with the level of disclosure. Surprisingly, the United Nation Global Compact membership is not a significant determinant of anti-corruption reporting. This signifies that the membership in the international initiative does not correspond to individual company’s commitment to disclose anti-corruption information. In spite of significant efforts undertaken by global organizations to combat corruption, the level of anti-corruption disclosure is significantly different among the four countries under study. The disclosure of sensitive information such as the confirmed incidences of corruption cases requires careful consideration by the top management as it is subjected to legal implications and reputational risks. Thus, impression management can complement the coercive pressure in explaining the level of anti-corruption reporting. This study is among the first studies which explores the association between coercive factors and the level of anti-corruption disclosure in ASEAN region

Companies’ accountability in sustainability: A comparative analysis of SDGs in five countries

As global environmental, health, and humanitarian problems increase, leaders are working hard to tackle these risks. As Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) expire, companies have their own role to play in economic and social development. In fact, companies have connected SDGs to their own business initiatives. To support this trend, the Organization for Economic Co-ordination and Development (OECD) has recently developed a set of guidelines for the private sector to initiate responsible business practices. Globally, the trend points to businesses being more responsible and putting more emphasis on sustainability. The ethical motivation to engage in sustainable practices varies. When companies integrate sustainability into their business, the management of these initiatives needs to be integrated as well. Certain tools exist for companies to help support the internal management of sustainability, such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). However, there is little research on how companies formulate their SDG goals and objectives, set priorities, and measure the impact of these initiatives. Doing so would increase their transparency and help convey meaningful information to their stakeholders. This research focuses on how companies from five different countries integrate SDGs into their business activities. Each of these countries face different, as well as similar types of sustainability challenges. The five countries that have been included in this research project are: Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Australia, and Malaysia. The research finds that the private sector lacks strategy when they plan for integrating sustainability