Harmonising sustainability reporting in the face of stakeholders’ awakening capitalism. The institutional background

Abstract

Purpose: Stakeholder capitalism is a system in which organisations seek long-term value creation by considering all stakeholdersʼ needs. The paper aims to identify how stakeholder capitalism has become embedded in sustainability reporting over time and explore how it currently affects the standardisation of the ESG disclosure framework. Methodology/approach: The study reviews the essential works and research studies published over the last six decades that reflect the emergence or the revival of the stake-holder capitalism concept. The paper also analyses the complex environment of accounting standard-setters and regulators who promote various non-financial reporting frameworks or standards. Findings: The system of stakeholder capitalism may propel the harmonisation of sustain-ability reporting and serve common interests. It refers to more than just business organisations, which should focus on long-term value creation and consider their environmental impacts on the planet. It is a broader concept of engaging governments in a joint effort to create prosperity for their people, attracting society to enter the dialogue and ensuring planetary wellbeing. Originality/value: The work gives an insight into the waves of changes in the sustainability reporting standardisation scene that have gained momentum over the last two years. It addresses the critical views of experts and debates on how harmonising international standards can make sustainability reporting and stakeholder capitalism genuinely serve the interest of stakeholders and the planet.