Determinants Of Corporate Sustainability Reporting In Selected Companies In Nigeria

 ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study is to empirically assess how institutional field and internal organizational process factors determine sustainability reporting based on new institutional theory and legitimacy theory. This study employed longitudinal and survey research design to actualize its objectives. Primary data was collected using questionnaire administered to companies to decipher the importance and performance of factors that determine sustainability reporting in Nigeria. Fifty four (54) corporate actors responded to the survey. Secondary data from annual reports, sustainability reports of companies and organizations were also used to actualize the research objectives in this study. Panel data regression techniques namely Fixed Effects estimation and Random Effects estimation in addition to Pooled Ordinary Least Squares regression was carried out on the secondary data collected from corporate reports. Based on the Hausman specification tests, the fixed effects model was more appropriate. The empirical results based on 2010 to 2014 data on sustainability reporting, institutional field factors and reporting process factors lend some support to the new institutional theory and legitimacy theory. The data analyses also showed that there was a statistical significant variation in sustainability reporting from year 2010 to 2014 in the sample companies. The study further revealed that the companies were influenced by the disclosure guidelines of the Nigerian Stock Exchange regulator (SEC), banking sector regulator introduced in 2011 and 2012 respectively. Results of the Fixed Effects model showed that Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) code of corporate governance, Central Bank of Nigeria Sustainability Banking Principles, accounting firm affiliation and sustainability reporting. Also, stakeholder engagement had a significant positive relationship with sustainability reporting. From these findings, it can be concluded that stakeholder engagement is crucial for sustainability reporting. The implication of these findings is that companies should take their sustainability reporting through assurance in order to improve the reporting content. This has the potential of improving sustainability reporting, as well as adding value to the sustainability principles put in place by regulators. Companies should be monitored by regulators to ensure that disclosure requirements of the code of corporate governance and sustainable banking guidelines are properly implemented. Small and medium sized accounting firms should be equipped with relevant information on sustainability reporting to enable them offer advisory services to companies.