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The study examines how environmental sustainability reporting influences the performance of listed construction firms in Zimbabwe. The study responds to a notable research gap in developing economies, particularly within the construction sector, where limited qualitative evidence exists on how managers perceive the relationship between environmental corporate sustainability practices and organisational performance. While prior studies have largely focused on quantitative approaches in developed contexts, this paper adopts a qualitative perspective to generate context-specific insights. Guided by the interpretivist philosophy and informed by Signalling Theory and Legitimacy Theory, the study employed a qualitative research design using purposive sampling. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews, and document analysis of sustainability reports from selected firms listed on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange. The data were analysed through thematic and content analysis to identify recurring patterns and perceptions. The findings indicate that environmental sustainability reporting is generally perceived to enhance firm performance through improved corporate reputation, stronger stakeholder confidence, regulatory compliance, operational efficiency, waste reduction, and better resource management. Key environmental practices identified include environmental management systems, recycling and reuse initiatives, pollution control measures, land rehabilitation, and water conservation strategies. However, the study also found that firms face constraints such as resource limitations, economic instability, and uneven regulatory enforcement, which may hinder the full benefits of environmental sustainability initiatives. The paper concludes that the environmental dimension of corporate sustainability reporting can contribute positively to organisational performance when supported by effective implementation and strategic commitment. It recommends that listed firms strengthen environmental governance systems, integrate sustainability into core business strategy, invest in cleaner technologies, and improve disclosure quality. Policymakers are encouraged to enhance regulatory support and industry guidance for sustainability reporting. Future research may extend this inquiry to other sectors, compare listed and non-listed firms, and explore longitudinal changes in sustainability reporting practices across emerging markets.

This study examines the impact of environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices on corporate financial performance in Zimbabwe's mining sector using a case study of Zimplats Holdings Limited. The main aim was to determine whether and to what extent ESG practices contribute to financial outcomes at the firm level. The objective of the study was to examine the overall ESG and financial performance relationship, to analyse the effects of individual ESG dimensions on financial performance, and to assess the moderating role of firm-specific factors on ESG practices. Informed by the stakeholder theory, the resource-based view, and legitimacy theory, a quantitative approach was adopted, using secondary data extracted from Zimplats' Integrated Annual Reports (2023–2025) through a structured data extraction template aligned with GRI standards. Key findings reveal a positive but lagged ESG and financial performance relationship. Governance emerged as the most stable and financially material ESG pillar, while environmental and social investments showed transitional efficiency deterioration before expected long-term gains. Firm-specific factors such as asset expansion, capital structure, production volume, and multinational ownership, significantly moderated the timing and magnitude of financial returns, compressing short-term profitability indicators such as return on assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE). The study contributes firm-level empirical evidence on unlisted Zimbabwean mining firms, extending ESG theory to emerging market contexts. Recommendations include targeting governance enhancements for immediate financial returns, allowing longer investment horizons for environmental and social initiatives, and maintaining conservative capital structures to sustain ESG investment during earnings volatility.

This paper aims to develop a conceptual and measurement framework for assessing environmental, social and governance (ESG) disclosure quality in Nigerian banks. It also aims to demonstrate how ESG disclosure quality can be distinguished from ESG disclosure quantity, ESG performance, ESG practices, ESG ratings and sustainability reporting. We employed a conceptual review and framework development approach by synthesising stakeholder theory, institutional theory, Nigerian sustainable banking regulation, international sustainability reporting standards and related banking literature. The materials analysed include the CBN Sustainable Banking Principles, SEC Sustainable Financial Principles, NGX Sustainability Disclosure Guidelines, Nigeria’s IFRS Sustainability Disclosure Standards adoption roadmap, IFRS S1/S2, GRI, TCFD, PCAF, the Basel Core Principles for Effective Banking Supervision and literature on ESG disclosure, banking risk, financial stability and disclosure quality. The main findings of the study demonstrate that: (i) ESG disclosure quality is a distinct construct; and (ii) bank ESG disclosure quality should be assessed across environmental, social and governance dimensions. The paper proposes the ESG Disclosure Quality Index framework which provides a graded 0–5 scoring scale and three empirical model specifications for future panel data studies. The framework provides a basis for assessing ESG disclosure quality and examining its relationship with bank-level outcomes in Nigeria and comparable emerging market banking systems.               

Using Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR) scores compiled by the Boost Awards international company for 77 UK companies listed on the FTSE100, the paper explores the impact of CSR on companies’ cash and investment decisions. The analysis is based on the system-GMM estimation methodology, spanning the period 2006 to 2023. The empirical analysis provides direct evidence that suggests that CSR award is directly and positively associated with corporate cash holdings, with such awards also having a positive effect on corporate investment decisions. The findings survive certain robustness tests in relevance to the distinction between mature and growth firms, although they are stronger in the case of the growth firms, and an alternative definition of CSR. The findings are highly important for company managers, investors and regulatory authorities. Managers in awarded CSR firms with better investment opportunities hold more cash because financial distress is more costly for their firms. In addition, firms with more cash holdings are less likely to default on their financial obligations, hence this evidence also implies that investors may give priority to invest in such high-performance CSR firms. Regulatory authorities should also consider that CSR activities enhance value of firms’ cash holdings and improve stakeholders’ relations.

This study aims to assess the impact of exposure to Carbon Emission Disclosure (CED) and the level of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions on the valuation of companies operating in the Indonesian banking sector. This in-depth study also evaluates the influence of capital structure and intellectual property assets. In addition, this study explicitly examines how financial performance moderates the relationship between these variables and the company's value. Using a quantitative research method, this analysis observed a sample consisting of banking entities listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) from 2020 to 2024. The theoretical framework underpinning this research comprises Legitimacy Theory, Stakeholder Theory, Signal Theory, Preference Order Theory, and the resource-based view (RBV). The results reveal that transparent disclosure of carbon emissions and the accumulation of intellectual capital positively influence the company's value, while GHG emissions and leverage have adverse effects. Crucially, financial performance (ROA) moderates these relationships by weakening the positive impact of carbon disclosure and buffering the negative impact of GHG emissions but does not significantly moderate the effects of capital structure or intellectual capital. These findings offer practical guidelines for banking management to align environmental sustainability practices with financial strategies to enhance corporate value.  

This study examines how environmental, social, and governance malpractices manifest as selective disclosure and weak assurance, enabling greenwashing across corporations in sub–Saharan Africa, and delineates governance and policy levers to curb these behaviors. Following integrative review standards, the study screens Scopus and Web of Science outputs and synthesizes 22 peer-reviewed studies published between 2014 and 2024 using a transparent PRISMA-informed pipeline and thematic coding to ensure replicability and analytic depth. The evidence shows that greenwashing is driven by regulatory gaps, voluntary compliance regimes, and narrative heavy self-reporting, while quality of integrated reporting is unevenly translated into real performance, signalling persistent decoupling between disclosure and outcomes; the preponderance of studies identifies governance weaknesses and selective disclosures as recurrent enablers across sectors including certification schemes and the built environment, corroborating the dominance of symbolic over substantive implementation in many African settings. The review argues for stronger ESG legislation, independent third-party auditing, and digital monitoring tools to restore investor confidence, protect public trust, and align corporate behaviour with the Sustainable Development Goals in sub-Saharan Africa

This study explored the relationship between consumerism, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and ethical performance in Zimbabwe through a survey analysis. The research explored the differences in consumerism between developed and less developed countries and identified various influence consumerism, including economic situation, level of consumer education and awareness, and cultural considerations. The concept of consumerism was familiar to Zimbabwean consumers, but they lacked a comprehensive understanding of how it could be used to hold businesses accountable. Consumerism is in its infancy in Zimbabwe, and citizens lack awareness of their rights and obligations. This research relied on the understanding and perceptions of consumers to examine the relationship between consumerism, CSR, and ethical performance in Zimbabwe, as well as the effects of consumer activism on corporate behaviour. The data for this exploratory study was collected and analysed using qualitative methodologies from a representative sample of 200 Zimbabwean consumers chosen at random. The collected questionnaires were carefully analysed and structured to identify themes and key differences, providing a holistic understanding of the study. The findings indicated that consumers in Zimbabwe prioritise price, brand, quality, and country of origin over CSR and the ethical performance of organisations. This suggests that businesses in Zimbabwe have little incentive to prioritise CSR and ethical behaviour unless it aligns with the demands of consumers. The research highlighted the need for more education and awareness-raising efforts around CSR and ethical business practices in Zimbabwe. Overall, the study underscored the importance of consumerism and its impact on corporate social responsibility and ethical performance in Zimbabwe.  

The study sought to investigate the factors influencing environmental reporting in developing countries. This has been necessited by the inconsistances and non compliant to regulations and laws of environmental reporting among the developing countries. Through examining the factors that influence environmental reporting the study hope to establish context based solutions to the challenge of environmental reporting. The study used a quantitative research method and factor analysis to establish the factors influencing environmental reporting. It was discovered that there are seven key factors influencing environmental reporting among Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries. These factors are: regulatory drivers, risk management drivers, market drivers, management influence drivers, strategic communication drivers, value creation drivers and legitimacy drivers. The study also revealed that there are several sub-factors that influencing environmental reporting under each key factor identified. The study concluded that environmental reporting influenced by the seven key factors. The study recommends that SADC sought for in-depth understanding of factors influencing environmental reporting. This is because understanding of the factors affecting environmental reporting is essential for the formulation and reporting that that satisfies stakeholders' requirements.

The current research investigates the effect of Corporate Social Investment (CSI) on the Human Development Index in South Africa. A quantitative longitudinal study conducted over 10 years reviewed the relationship between CSI and HDI in South Africa. The survey results confirmed a negative statistical relationship between CSI and HDI in South Africa. With a 1% increase in CSI, leading to a marginal decrease in human development. An implication of the study is that CSI spending is not reaching the citizens of South Africa, possibly due to systemic corruption in South Africa. The results of the study thus have significant policy implications for the implementation and administration of CSI projects in South Africa.

Sustainability has become a key focus for many small manufacturing enterprises, especially as they face growing pressure to operate responsibly in economic, social, and environmental terms. This study explores how the three elements of the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) work together and influence each other in shaping sustainable practices. Rather than looking at these elements in isolation, the study focuses on how they interact within small manufacturing enterprises and how this interplay can create new opportunities for improving sustainability. Using both theory and practical insights, the study identifies ways in which organizations can better align their strategies to achieve long-term value and stability. The findings show that when the TBL elements are balanced and connected, organizations are more likely to succeed in building resilience and meeting broader sustainability goals. This study offers practical guidance for leaders and decision-makers who want to use the TBL framework not just as a reporting tool, but as a way to guide meaningful change. A scientific questionnaire was distributed to 450 small manufacturing enterprises who were chosen on a stratified probability sampling method. The research data were subject to correlation analysis.

The study aims to develop a framework for stakeholder management planning to guide entities in using holistic structured and tailored approaches that effectively guide stakeholder management. The study was inspired by perceived inadequacies of current frameworks to provide actionable solutions to stakeholder management planning. The study is underpinned by pragmatism and involves mixed methods research consisting of quantitative and qualitative approaches. A stratified random sampling method is used with the target population being 55 companies listed on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange covering the period 2019-2023. The theoretical framework was anchored on the stakeholder theory by Edward Freeman (1984).  Questionnaires (n=215) are analysed using SPSS version 26 while 12 semi-structured interview guides are analysed using NVIV0 version 14 with 10 local corporate governance practitioners validating the framework. The Quantitative techniques used are Cronbach alpha, exploratory factor analysis, regression and ANOVA.   Findings were that variables from the study namely the definitive / latent criteria, communication, engagement and collaboration sub-plans are sufficiently positively related to stakeholder management planning and several sub-themes emerged around them to produce a holistic framework of stakeholder management planning. The framework is expected to see the improvement of stakeholder management planning in practice.

Idiosyncratic risk refers to a distinct category of risk that impacts individual firms and is shaped by multiple aspects, including carbon performance and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) disclosures. This risk, particularly concerning environmental sustainability, can provide considerable hurdles for companies. This study aims to examine the influence of carbon performance and ESG disclosure on idiosyncratic risk, with the speed of adjustment serving as a moderating variable. This research examines coal production firms listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) from 2021 to 2023, with a sample of 26 companies selected through purposive sampling. This research utilizes quantitative methodologies, specifically multiple linear regression and a moderating variable approach. Data is derived from annual reports, financial statements, and sustainability reports of coal firms, as well as information from investing.com and the Katadata Corporate Sustainability Index. The data indicate an inverse correlation between carbon performance and idiosyncratic risk, as well as between ESG disclosure and idiosyncratic risk, suggesting that organizations with superior ratings in both domains encounter diminished idiosyncratic risk. Moreover, whereas the speed of adjustment does not reinforce the connection between carbon performance and idiosyncratic risk, it does augment the association between ESG disclosure and idiosyncratic risk.

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) -related information has become a primary non-financial consideration for investors. Carbon Auditing has emerged as a significant accounting framework for providing ESG information. As climate change intensifies, the demand for transparent and accurate carbon auditing has risen. This Study aims to understand how emerging carbon auditing could proactively prevent future scandals, e.g., Volkswagen's Diesel gate Scandal, and mitigate environmental risks. This paper examines the level at which carbon auditing effectively curbs emissions, considering Volkswagen's "Dieselgate" scandal as a case study. It assesses how well carbon auditing works in controlling environmental risks and discusses how enhancements in carbon accounting in the future can help avoid such scandals. The Study was conducted through case study analysis and scenario analysis. The Study found that the Diselgate Scandal reduced share prices, raised awareness through Academia, and produced some policy implications. Scenario 1 analysis shows that a lack of carbon auditing triggers environmental degradation, leading to financial losses. On the other hand, in scenario 2, the Study shows that continuous monitoring leads to long-term financial stability.

Climate-related concerns have drastically made companies realize the need for better environmental regulations and consolidate them in corporate business strategies such as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). CSR improves firm performance by valuing the stakeholders' interests and substantially achieving a competitive advantage over competitors. Recognising a firm's competitive advantage in the market indicates performance and might help the company perform better. The objective of this research  is to provide concrete proof related to how CSR affects competitive advantage and its effects on company performance, especially financial performance in SMEs in Bali Province. This study uses primary data in the form of questionnaires distributed to SMEs both directly and online. The sample of this research is the manager / owner of SMEs in Bali Province. Data analysis tools using SmartPLS 4.0. The study's findings indicate that CSR has a direct impact on financial performance  (SMEs) and CSR indirectly affects the financial performance (SMEs) through competitive advantage. Competitive advantage was found to partially mediate the impact of CSR and financial performance (SMEs). These findings will be used by SME managers in Bali Province in order to enhance the company's financial performance by considering the use of CSR strategies and strengthening competitive advantage. Implementing CSR can help a company become more competitive and separate itself from competitors by providing an innovative product or service. Finally, corporate social responsibility (CSR) can give a company a competitive advantage by strengthening its marketing abilities, which leads to improved performance.

This study examines Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and brand loyalty within South African consumer marketplaces. This study investigates the relationship between CSR activities and customer behaviour, focussing on the influence of CSR on trust, satisfaction, and loyalty. The socio-economic and historical context of South Africa influences consumer attitudes towards corporate social responsibility, distinguishing it from other global markets. This study advocates for ongoing impact evaluations and stakeholder engagement to enhance the effectiveness of corporate social responsibility initiatives in both business and governmental contexts.

This research aims to determine the influence of firm size, profitability, leverage, and board size on Islamic social responsibility. The population in this research are companies listed on the Indonesian Stock Exchange in 2020–2022. In this research, we will see the simultaneous and partial influence and the dominant variables using data analysis tools in the form of multiple linear regression, coefficient of determination, hypothesis testing using the F test and t-test, and the classical assumption test. Based on the research results, it can be concluded as follows: Simultaneously, firm size, profitability, leverage, and board size influence Islamic social responsibility. Partially, it can be seen that not all variables have a significant effect on Islamic social responsibility. Firm size and leverage influence Islamic social responsibility, while profitability and board size have no influence. 

Organisations all over the world are increasingly adopting Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as a strategic not only for improving their brand image but also making a meaningful contribution to the welfare of society. This trend includes incorporating socially responsible aspects into marketing strategies, resulting in goods and services that benefit the community at large. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) play an important role in this framework, as they contribute significantly to both social and economic growth. Using a quantitative methodology, this study examines the experiences of a manufacturing organisation in the eThekwini District Municipality of KwaZulu-Natal that has included CSR into its marketing strategies. The analysis employs the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) method, with data evaluated using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). This study collects and analyses pre- and post-CSR implementation quarterly data on sales performance and customer retention. The empirical findings offer a multifaceted picture of the impact of CSR on marketing performance. Contrary to assertions, that there appears to be a substantial relationship between customer retention rates and marketing performance following CSR implementation. Interestingly, the study discovers an inverse association between sales volumes and marketing performance, implying that a rise in sales does not always result in improved marketing results for the organisation in question. This unexpected consequence shows the intricate interplay between CSR programmes and marketing outcomes, providing useful insights for businesses, particularly those in the South African manufacturing sector, attempting to negotiate the complexities of CSR-driven marketing strategies. This study contributes to a better understanding of how CSR efforts can be strategically integrated with marketing goals to promote both social well-being and business success.

Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) are regarded as a vital business sector in the South African economy. They elevate employment, reduce poverty, and increase the overall economic growth of any country.  It is essential that SMEs should develop and grow.  In ensuring their survival and growth, SMEs must be flexible and agile in every growth stage.  Thus, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is one of the strategic tools for business survival and growth.  CSR is when organisations act responsibly and ethically towards society, the environment and other stakeholders, to maximise positive impact not just for profit. It is expected that the implementation of CSR can enhance the performance of SMEs.  Consequently, the study assesses CSR practices applied by SMEs in the eThekwini Metropolitan Area. The study was quantitative in nature.  It targeted 120 SME owners in the automotive manufacturing sector of the eThekwini Metropolitan Area.  Data collected from 110 SME owners was analysed using version 27 of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS).  The results established that business performance increases when SME organisations support community, particularly when there is employee involvement in such support activities.  Hence, the original value of this study is in its approach in uncovering the perceptions and involvement of SMEs operating in the automotive manufacturing sector in the eThekwini Metropolitan Area in KwaZulu-Natal (in South Africa) on their CSR practices. 

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), the adoption of responsible business practices concerning economic, environmental and social principles, is a tool to develop market value for various stakeholder groups. CSR can create several competitive advantages and should not be seen as a cost, but as a strategic initiative to aid organisations in competing in the market. Effective internal CSR communication to employees enhances an organisation’s corporate identity (CI) – ultimately affecting employees’ attitudes and behaviour. This paper aims to explore South African retail employees’ perceptions of internal CSR communication methods used by their organisations. A dataset of 229 employees participated by completing a computer-aided self-administered survey, which was distributed via LinkedIn. The main findings of the study indicate that employees perceived their organisations to make use of e-mail communication, internal newsletters, web and social media platforms to communicate with them regarding CSR, indicating that other internal communication platforms such as intranet or internal meetings can be utilised more to communicate with employees.

The purpose of this study is to analyze whether there are differences in the impact of corporate social responsibility on its financial performance and stock performance in different industries. The research period is from 2016 to 2018. The samples are selected from the corporate social responsibility award-winning companies selected by Commonwealth Magazine and Vision Magazine, and the financial information comes from Taiwan Economic News (TEJ). The empirical results show that traditional heavy industries have been established for a long time and the equipment is relatively old, so it needs to pay a relatively high cost to improve. Therefore, in this type of industry, corporate social responsibility has a negative impact on its financial impact, and even if it is a reputation It has won the evaluation of the public, but its stock characteristics are not easy to fluctuate, so the impact on its stock performance is not significant. On the contrary, in the other two industries, corporate social responsibility will not burden its financial performance, but will positively help its stock performance. Among them, in the electronics industry, corporate social responsibility will positively help its financial performance. It may be that this type of industry has a relatively high bargaining power for products and relatively advanced technology, so it can transfer the cost of corporate responsibility invested to the selling price of the product.