Analysis of Sustainability Disclosure and Performance Indicators in Pakistan to Determine the Value Relevance of Sustainability Reporting

Abstract

The aim of the research is twofold: first, to measure the corporate sustainability disclosure determination rate (CSDR) and examine its relationship with sustainability performance indicators (SPI). Second, to analyze the value relevance of sustainability investment (SI) with corporate financial performance (FP) from a sample of the top 85 companies listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX). Using content analysis, we developed a sustainability reporting index based on 20 indicators, and robust statistical methods were also applied to analyze the linkage between CSDR - SPI and SI- FP using a regression analysis for panel data. The content analysis of data shows that to some extent,companies disclose non-financial information on community development, social, and environmental progression. The findings of the study indicate the absence of a significant relationship between CSDR -SPI and SI - FP, and Pakistani companies do not enjoy the financial benefits of sustainability investments.