Impact of Corporate Attributes on Sustainability (ESG) Reporting: Evidence from Listed Banks in India

The present study aims to examine the Sustainability (ESG) reporting practices and the impact of some corporate characteristics (age, size, profitability, leverage, and international presence) on the extent of sustainability disclosure of listed banks in India. The sample consisted of all ten banks listed on S&P BSE Bankex representing a large market share of the Indian banking sector. The Sustainability/CSR/Business responsibility reports of the sample companies for the F.Y 2019-20 were examined through the content analysis method using a self-developed Sustainability Reporting Disclosure Index (SRDI) based on the review of literature and standards on sustainability disclosure. The multiple regression technique is used to identify significant corporate attributes affecting Sustainability Reporting (SR). The findings indicate that dimensions like environment, human rights and labour practices are the least reported by selected banks. The regression results show that there is a positive and significant impact of size and leverage on the level of sustainability disclosure whereas age, profitability, and international presence are found to be insignificant. Corporate attributes like size, leverage and international presence are found to be positively and significantly associated with sustainability reporting among the selected banks. However, age and profitability are found to have a negative relationship. The empirical studies on the extent of ESG disclosure and its relationship with firm characteristics especially in the banking sector of developing countries like India are scarce, so this study is an attempt to fill this gap.