Worldwide, increasing population and economic growth have provoked an increased demand for water, and global warming has aggravated the instability of water supplies. In the fight for a better environment, water management will soon become a central focus, following the management of carbon emissions. The efficient use of freshwater is essential for sustainable economic development, but a review of the literature reveals that few studies have addressed water management issues at the level of the corporation. Using updated information, gathered from a variety of corporate organizations worldwide, this thesis is timely in addressing water management practices in the business sphere among different industries. Specifically, the central issues of this study are how companies are reacting to increasingly rigid legal requirements in regard to water usage, and what stimulates companies to improve the quality of their water management and ultimately to increase the efficiency of their water usage. To pursue this objective, this study investigates self-disclosed water management practices among corporations worldwide, using data from CDP (previously Carbon Disclosure Project), a non-profit organisation that collects information using questionnaires from hundreds of companies throughout the world on water-specific information, as well as carbon-specific information. In this thesis, three research questions are addressed: why do companies voluntarily participate in the CDP program and disclose information publicly; what causes companies to practice good water management; and does good water management bring benefits to companies. A new theory of self-regulation is proposed and justified by research findings to rationalise corporate attitudes towards water management and disclosure. Three research questions are explored in two chapters, using different methodologies. The contribution of this thesis is threefold. First, few studies have specifically focused on corporate water management to the present time. The present study will fill this gap by providing up-to-date evidence on how companies manage water, in an international setting. From a theoretical perspective, a self-regulation theory is proposed to explain how companies are able to maximize self-interest through disclosure and water management. This study complements the literature by adding new perspectives, with empirical evidence. The self-regulation index and a water-management system are constructed as proxy for self-regulation efforts. Through this study, we will have a better understanding of contemporary sustainable practices in water use, as well as its links to carbon management and long-term sustainability. The results also have practical implications for sustainable water management, which can be used by the government, researchers, and corporations
