Understanding the Sustainability Reporting Landscape and Research Opportunities in Accounting
成果类型：
Article
署名作者：
Dechow, Patricia M.
署名单位：
University of Southern California
刊物名称：
ACCOUNTING REVIEW
ISSN/ISSBN：
0001-4826
DOI：
10.2308/TAR-2023-0145
发表日期：
2023
页码：
481-493
关键词：
摘要：
I first distinguish the terms economic growth, economic development, and sustainable development. I then discuss the term ESG and why this term is used with respect to the corporation. I follow with a discussion of the shareholder primacy perspective and how this perspective plays a defining role in corporate law, corporate governance, and asset management. I argue that the shareholder primacy perspective is not appropriate for sustainability reporting because when a firm pollutes the environment, reduces biodiversity, or has inequitable social policies, it does not bear the full cost of its action; society and the planet does. Therefore, providing sustainability disclosures that are relevant to investors misses the point that sustainability disclosures are motivated by the desire of other stakeholders to learn about externalities. I discuss the different standard setters in the sustainability space and how accounting and measurement play key roles. I close with a discussion of research opportunities.