Impact of corporate social responsibility guidelines 2013 on the extent of the corporate social responsibility activities and disclosures in Pakistan

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to examine the impact of CSR guidelines 2013 on the level of corporate social responsibilities (CSR) activities and their disclosure in Pakistan. This study analyzed the voluntary disclosure guidelines impact on various stakeholders of the top companies of the year listed in Pakistan’s stock exchange for the five years (2011-2015). It is found that the introduction of these guidelines 2013 had a positive impact on the overall level of corporate social responsibilities disclosures (CSRD). It was also observed that the overall trends in the level of CSRD increased gradually within the sample period. There need to be continuous a requirement through regulations and local pressures on the firms for engaging in ethical business practices and to disclose that information to government organizations and general public. Corporations can gain both economically and ethically when they take CSR as marketing and public relation opportunity. Finally, corporations can give itself edge by distinguishing its operations from others and therefore gain competitive advantage.