Green reporting in the perception of reports preparers. Evidence from Poland

Abstract

Purpose: The main purpose of the paper is to assess the perception of environmental reports preparers related to the obligation towards disclosing environmental information from the perspective of the company interests. The auxiliary aim of the article is to propose integrated green reporting in the context of theoretical foundations, in particular the theory of legitimacy, stakeholders and agencies. Design/methodology/approach: Surveys were used to assess the perception of preparers of environmental reports. The empirical data was collected in a non-exhaustive survey. In the statistical analysis of the survey data, contingency tables and association measures for categorical variables were used (examination of correlations between pairs of survey questions) as well as logistic regression models and odds ratios (examination of the impact of explanatory variables on the selected survey questions with dichotomous values). Findings: In the opinion of the respondents, the disclosure of environmental information is useful for stakeholders. They partly agree to extend the mandatory subjective and objective scope of the disclosure of environmental information. However, their opinion depends on some features of the enterprise, capital connections and the type of information shaping the enterprise image. The disclosed environmental information is an important element of influencing the company image, but it is not the most important one. Research limitations/implications: This research is the first, pilot stage of the overall research. In the next stages, the research sample will be enlarged. The second limitation is the focus on Polish enterprises. As part of the research continuation, we intend to cover other countries. Practical implications: Appropriate legal arrangements are needed to adequately enforce the scope and quality of reporting focused on environmental information. The author's definition of green reporting refers to a comprehensive, integrated environmental report combining financial and non-financial information arranged according to the substantively separated areas. Social implications: Our proposed integration of environmental information in one report – green report - that emphasizes the importance of the environmental protection problem, which will increase the transparency and availability of information, and ensure its comprehensiveness for stakeholders, and as a result have a positive impact on environmental awareness in the business operations of enterprises. Originality/value: The research was conducted from the perspective of preparers and managers that disclose environmental information. Our research is the broadening and deepening of knowledge on environmental information reporting in Poland, as well as participation in the discussion on the desired directions of its development. Keywords: green accounting, green reporting, environmental disclosures, non-financial statement, CSR. Category of the paper: research paper.