CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY DISCLOSURES: EVIDENCE FROM VIETNAMESE BANKS

Abstract

All sectors of the economy are striving for sustainable development; therefore, corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure is of great interest. Vietnamese banks have been disclosing CSR information in recent years; however, the manner and quality of these bank disclosures are inconsistent. For better judgment, this study evaluates the disclosure of CSR information by Vietnamese banks, compares changes in those disclosures over time, and tracks differences in disclosure quantity and quality among different groups of banks over the ten-year period of 2012-2021. In addition to a semi-objective approach, descriptive statistics is the main method used in this study. The quality of CSR information between listed and unlisted banks showed no significant difference, although more complete CSR information is disclosed by stated-owned banks in comparison with commercial banks. The quality of CSR disclosure tends to increase over time in all five categories, including economy, community, environment, employees, and products. In which, banks report more information relating to the economy and community factors. The results provide interesting findings and essential suggestions for CSR disclosures by Vietnamese banks, toward the goals of profitability, competitiveness, and sustainable development.