Corporate social responsibility reporting and stakeholder management in an emerging market: Perspective of CSR executives

Abstract

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting and stakeholder management practices are influenced by contextual issues (Abreu, Castro, Soares, & Filho, 2012; Tilt, 2016). This current study examines the CSR reporting and stakeholder management practices, focusing on the perspective of CSR executives in the context of a developing country. A qualitative methodological approach was used for the study, where CSR executives of firms on the Ghana Club 100 (GC 100) from 2010-2012 were interviewed. Information published in annual reports and websites of firms were also analysed. Findings show annual reports are the popular channels for CSR reporting. However, some multinational firms used both annual reports and standalone CSR reports because it is mandatory. The study established that CSR reports are used in correcting negative perceptions and stakeholder scepticism. However, the expected positive interplay between CSR reporting and stakeholder management does not hold for all groups of stakeholders. There is also very little information on the existence of mechanisms that promote the implementation of stakeholder management policies at the firm-level