Electronic Theses and Dissertations (Masters)

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Subject: search.filters.subject.Corporate Reporting

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    The extent of biodiversity and species reporting by the top 75 companies listed on the london stock exchange (ISE)
    (University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2023) Lai, Timothy; Ecim, Dusan; Maroun, Warren
    Corporate activities have significantly contributed to the accelerating decline of biological diversity on a global scale, having contributed to resource exploitation, industrialisation, land-use changes and deforestation in their associated operations. In recent years, the loss of habitats, ecosystems and threatened species has been brought to the attention of the public, mostly as a result of adverse events caused by these organisations in the conduct of their operations. The real impacts and consequences of biodiversity loss, has however, largely remained under-reported resulting in the need for organisations to adopt greater levels of corporate accountability and transparency within their biodiversity reports. This study analyses the primary reports (i.e., annual reports) of the top 75 companies listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) across a three-year period (2018 – 2020). These reports are studied in order to assess the quality and quantity of the biodiversity and species extinction disclosures, with thepurpose of identifying any trends and patterns across the three years. This research also assesses the possible determinants driving biodiversity disclosures. A mixed method approach is utilised. The content in the primary reports is analysed and evaluated to identify biodiversity-related disclosures and categorises them according to the themes outlined in a detailed disclosure checklist developed using the existing professional and academic literature. Secondly, the quantum and quality of the biodiversity and species extinction related disclosures included in these reports will be determined using a standardised scoring system. This paper finds that the biodiversity and species extinction disclosure among the LSE-listed companies has remained low in both quality and quantity. Although there is considerable improvement in the biodiversity disclosures year-on-year, the disclosures remain limited in substance, lacking sufficient detail over the biodiversity-related matters conveyed to key stakeholders. This research provides insight into the environmental reporting practices of UK-listed companies and aims to identify the trends, patterns and weaknesses found within biodiversity reporting. This study expands on the limited volume of literature within the environmental accounting field, to ultimately aid the transformation in corporate reporting practices
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    Disciplinary power and the proactive monitoring unit
    (2020) Flowers, Kevin Eitan
    The value of independent bodies charged with monitoring and improving the quality of financial reporting is becoming increasingly recognised around the world. The United States of America, United Kingdom and the European Union are examples of where such bodies exist. South Africa has created the Proactive Monitoring Unit (PMU). The PMU monitors the financial statements of companies listed on the JSE to ensure that they comply with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).As most of these bodies are relatively new, there is limited research exploring how they function. This thesis aims to understand monitoring bodies better. Specifically, it will investigate if the PMU’s activities utilise Foucault’s disciplinary power to achieve results. 17 semi-structured, open-ended interviews with financial statement preparers, auditors, regulators and academics were conducted. The PMU is indicative of a partitioning mechanism used by the JSE in order to monitor and control the financial reporting space of listed companies. Preparers and auditors resemble well trained individuals who follow the PMU’s guidance without question. Respondents felt the constant gaze of the PMU which, combined with the negative reputational impact of an adverse review, leaves preparers and auditors fearful of the PMU. This anxiety seems to create a belief that preparers and auditors must present their financial statements as instructed by the PMU. This is one of the first theses which examines how external monitoring bodies function in a real-world setting. It adds to the limited accounting research which investigates why monitoring mechanisms achieve or do not achieve compliance. This is the first study to consider the functioning of external monitoring bodies in an African setting. This will provide insight into how monitoring bodies may best be constructed to improve corporate governance