Contextual Factors in Social and Environmental Accounting Disclosure Models

Abstract

There are many studies on social and environmental accounting disclosure practice throughout the world in an attempt to provide a better understanding of its importance. A range of determinants affects the motivation of firms to provide social and environmental information, and the adequacy and suitability of this type of information to assist decision makers. These include the impact on corporate governance and firm characteristics on differences in social and environmental disclosure practices by firms operating in similar or different sectors in terms of the level and quality of disclosure. Moreover, contextual factors are of significance when it comes to justifying these differences in disclosure practices by firms in different countries acting in similar and dissimilar sectors. The importance of contextual factors is evident by their impact on the expected influence of corporate governance and firm characteristics, which has prevented researchers generalizing the results of studies in countries not included in their samples and, thus, creating the need to conduct more research in different countries to consolidate these results. This chapter casts light on these important factors suitable for modeling, including include political, economic and cultural factors.