The relevance of nationality for the stakeholder salience theory from a South African perspective
Date
2021
Authors
Sepotokele, Lungi Winnie
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Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the integrated report of listed companies
in South African and Indian (text seems to be missing) to assess the relevance of nationality
for stakeholder salience. This study replicates a study performed Gianfelici, Casadei, and
Cembali (2018).
Design and methodology: The study uses a descriptive research method to analyse the impact
of stakeholder salience in developing markets. The integrated reports of 80 organisations
comprising of the top 40 listed companies in the JSE and BSE were analysed using a coding
tool that has been outlined in the Methodology Section. The research study applied
quantitative content analysis to quantify the power, urgency and legitimacy components of the
stakeholder salience theory.
Findings: Stakeholder salience is not influenced by nationality in developing countries.
Practical implications: The study contributes to corporate disclosure literature in South African
and India. The findings are expected to be of practical benefit to decision-makers in
organisations in terms of how resources can be effectively allocated to create value for the
organisation while catering to the needs of salient stakeholders.
Originality and value: The stakeholder salience theory is relatively new. This is the first
research that is only focused on the application of this theory to developing markets
Description
A research report submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Commerce (Accounting) to the Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, School of Accountancy, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2021