CSR disclosures in mining companies: repairing and maintaining legitimacy
Date
2016-01-29
Authors
Dube, Sindisiwe
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Abstract
This report analyses the use of legitimacy strategies by the platinum mining companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) post the Marikana incident. Content analysis is employed to study the CSR disclosures in the integrated reports of the companies from 2011 to 2013, using pre-determined content themes and integrated report sections. The results provide evidence in support of the legitimacy theory, as the quantity of CSR disclosures mainly focused on social related issues generally increases in the sector during the period under review. Although some companies do not increase their disclosure, their response is still in line with the predictions of legitimacy theory which envisages a change in the reporting pattern, not necessarily always an increase in disclosure. The study also analyses the reports for specific legitimacy strategies in action, and examples of these are provided and scrutinised.
Description
A research report submitted
In partial fulfilment of the Degree: Master of Commerce
University of the Witwatersrand
School of Accountancy
2015