Sustainability performance disclosures: the impact of gender diversity and intellectual capital on GRI standards compliance in Uganda
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Date
2022
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Journal of Accounting in Emerging Economies
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to examine the extent of and impact of gender diversity and intellectual
capital on compliance with Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) sustainability reporting standards by Uganda
manufacturing companies.
Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected from manufacturing firms in Uganda using a
questionnaire survey to find out their perception of compliance with the GRI standards. Data were analyzed
using statistical package for social sciences, Microsoft Excel and smart partial least squares structural
equation modeling (PLS–SEM).
Findings – The results indicate that on average,manufacturing firms inUganda complywithGRI sustainability
reporting standards to the extent of 59%. The results further indicate that manufacturing companies comply
more with the GRI 200 (economic performance disclosures) to the extent of 63%as compared with 55%for GRI
300 (environmental performance disclosures) and 58%for GRI 400 (social performance disclosures). The results
also indicate that intellectual capital has a significant impact on the GRI-based sustainability performance
disclosures inUganda. However, board gender diversity has no significant effect. In terms of the control variables,
only firm size is significant, while firm age, capital structure and auditor type are not.
Originality/value – This study provides first time evidence of the extent of compliancewith the GRI sustainability
reporting standards using evidence from Uganda – an African developing country. This study widens the
understanding of the usage of GRI standards in the preparation of sustainability reports by manufacturing firms in
an emerging economy. This study also provides first-time evidence on the role of gender diversity and intellectual
capital in GRI-based sustainability performance disclosures using evidence from Uganda’s manufacturing sector.
Description
Keywords
Sustainability performance disclosures, Global reporting initiative, GRI sustainability Reporting standards, Intellectual capital, Board gender diversity, Uganda
Citation
Bananuka, J., Nkundabanyanga, S. K., Kaawaase, T. K., Mindra, R. K., & Kayongo, I. N. (2022). Sustainability performance disclosures: the impact of gender diversity and intellectual capital on GRI standards compliance in Uganda. Journal of Accounting in Emerging Economies. DOI 10.1108/JAEE-09-2021-0301