Original Research

A coherent Corporate Social Responsibility reporting framework for companies listed on the JSE Top 40 Index

Nthabiseng Debeila, Jane V. Usher, Jacques van Zyl
South African Journal of Business Management | Vol 55, No 1 | a4415 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajbm.v55i1.4415 | © 2024 Nthabiseng Debeila, Jane V. Usher, Jacques van Zyl | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 05 December 2023 | Published: 19 July 2024

About the author(s)

Nthabiseng Debeila, Milpark Business School, Johannesburg, South Africa
Jane V. Usher, Milpark Business School, Johannesburg, South Africa
Jacques van Zyl, Milpark Business School, Johannesburg, South Africa

Abstract

Purpose: Corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting has been problematic because of the lack of authenticity and legitimacy in CSR initiatives. Greenwashing and various corporate scandals have occurred, which have further diminished the relevance of CSR and the reporting thereof. In the South African context, although companies listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange Top 40 index (Johannesburg Stock Exchange [JSE] T40) report on their CSR considerations, the reporting lacks coherence and is often not underpinned by definite conceptual frameworks, which results in differentiation and inconsistency in CSR reporting. Given the role of these corporates in assisting the government to redress some of the social injustices and environmental issues, it is important to craft a coherent CSR reporting framework for the JSE T40.

Design/methodology/approach: The study followed a constructivist qualitative research approach with a generic qualitative research design. Furthermore, the study used content analysis, in-depth interviews, focus group and thematic analysis.

Findings/results: The coherent CSR reporting framework for the JSE T40 was crafted with four key themes, namely Pillars of coherent CSR reporting, industry requirements, decolonise CSR, and culminate diverse views.

Practical implications: The framework aims to support the JSE T40 to better report on the CSR considerations, enable them to systematically communicate and evaluate the impact of their CSR initiatives.

Originality/value: The application of coherent CSR reporting can aid in addressing socio-economic inequalities, global warming, corporate governance scandals, and greenwashing by increasing corporate responsiveness and responsibility. Therefore, the aspirations of the National Development Plan, African Union’s Agenda 2063 and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can be attained through CSR.


Keywords

Corporate social responsibility (CSR); CSR reporting; CSR reporting framework; JSE Top 40 listed companies

JEL Codes

M10: General; M14: Corporate Culture • Diversity • Social Responsibility; Y40: Dissertations (unclassified)

Sustainable Development Goal

Goal 10: Reduced inequalities

Metrics

Total abstract views: 706
Total article views: 749


Crossref Citations

No related citations found.