M. Azizul Islam - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by M. Azizul Islam

SSRN Electronic Journal, 2019

The global economy relies on corporate sourcing and procurement practices along complex transnati... more The global economy relies on corporate sourcing and procurement practices along complex transnational supply chains. Some goods and services that find their way to the consumer public are sourced in contexts tainted by modern slavery, including forced labour and human trafficking. Mandatory reporting and disclosure schemes have long been used to manage risk and impact across various aspects of corporate and market activity. It is only more recently that some governments have begun to use such mechanisms in the context of human rights, including specifically to address modern slavery risks in supply chains. Based on experiences in other countries, Australia’s Modern Slavery Act (2018) (Cth) is the most recent example of an emerging global regulatory initiative of using domestic legislative models to increase transparency and associated stakeholder engagement to address modern slavery risks in supply chains.

Social and Environmental Accountability Journal, 2016

This study examines the accounting and accountability practices of Fairtrade International (FLO),... more This study examines the accounting and accountability practices of Fairtrade International (FLO), one of the largest Fair Trade umbrella organizations. Our aim is to explore whether new forms of accounting and related disclosures emerge in the reporting practices of FLO and how these reflect their self-declared social mission towards the emancipation and sustainability of producers. Using thematic analysis and reflecting on Bourdieu's theory of symbolic power, we analyse FLO's reporting practices from 2006 to 2013. Our findings reveal that FLO mobilises the taken-forgranted images and symbols of 'fairness' in the Fair Trade system by using descriptive statistics of Fair Trade premium distributions and pictures of producers but keeps silent to current concerns surrounding the limitations of Fair Trade. Such findings extend important insights into how new forms of accounting and related disclosure are used to legitimise the practice of Fair Trade.

CSR, Sustainability, Ethics & Governance, 2016

Although there is growing research that examines CSR reporting within the context of developing n... more Although there is growing research that examines CSR reporting within the context of developing nations, few attempts have been made to theorize this phenomenon. The aim of this study is to explore the possibility of using the legitimacy theory as a plausible explanation for CSR reporting practices by organizations within the context of developing nations. In terms of the future direction of the applicability of the legitimacy theory, there appears to be a number of subject areas or legitimacy threatening incidents to be researched within the context of developing nations.

Developments in Corporate Governance and Responsibility, 2015

This chapter explores the impact of UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Rio + 20 in improv... more This chapter explores the impact of UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Rio + 20 in improving Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practices. While MDGs and Rio + 20 have suggested additive guidelines for improving CSR practices, they do not provide a strong legislative mandate. We find both MDGs and Rio + 20 have had limited cumulative effect on CSR practices and discourses within the corporate reports. UN bodies should bring a new policy and regulatory framework that addresses limitations in the principles espoused in the MDGs and Rio + 20. An independent monitoring system (a social compliance audit mechanism) can be mandated in an attempt to make incremental substantive change.

Developments in Corporate Governance and Responsibility, 2015

This chapter focuses on the development of corporate human rights standards since the United Nati... more This chapter focuses on the development of corporate human rights standards since the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, better known as the Earth Summit was held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. One of the important agendas for this Summit was human rights (apart from the climate change issue). This chapter provides a critical evaluation of institutional change in human rights guidelines and associated corporate (non) accountability in relation to human rights in line with the RIO summit. Based on a review of the media reports, archival documents and a case study, we argue that while there are a number of international organisations working towards the creation of corporate accountability in relation to human rights, there is limited real change in corporate action when faced with no government regulation. A radical (reform-based) approach, such as mandatory monitoring (compliance audit) and disclosure requirements is necessary to ensure corporate accountability in relation to human rights.

Social Responsibility Journal, 2011

PurposeThe aim of this study is to elicit accountants' perceptions regarding corporate social... more PurposeThe aim of this study is to elicit accountants' perceptions regarding corporate social and environmental accounting and reporting practices in a developing country such as Bangladesh.Design/methodology/approachMembers of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB) were surveyed to determine their perceptions on issues pertaining to social and environmental accounting and reporting practices in Bangladesh.FindingsWhilst the findings show that accountants have positive attitudes toward corporate social and environmental accounting, progress is limited, with the absence of ICAB in making any noticeable effort to develop such practices.Research implicationsUnlike prior studies, the implications of this study suggest that without international influence, it is less likely that institutional forces in Bangladesh (ICAB and the government) would be effective in dealing with social and environmental accounting and reporting issues.Originality/valueWhile prior studi...

This paper investigates the stakeholder pressures behind corporate accountability and disclosures... more This paper investigates the stakeholder pressures behind corporate accountability and disclosures in relation to climate change. By means of a questionnaire survey, the study focuses on ascertaining the views of a sample of stakeholder groups such as government bodies, institutional investors, environmental NGOs, media accounting professionals, and researchers to examine their perceptions of pressures upon Australian corporations to be accountable in relation to climate change. Prior social and environmental research found that NGOs (Deegan and Blomquist, 2006; Tilt, 1994) and the media (Brown and Deegan, 1996; Islam and Deegan, 2010) were powerful stakeholder groups influencing corporate social and environmental disclosure practices. Our paper finds that along with NGOs and the media, institutional investors and regulators (governments) are equally important and powerful actors for applying pressure for corporate accountability in relation to climate change. Based on the findings of the paper, we would argue that climate change is an issue with no single stakeholder group involved, rather it is a set of stakeholder groups including regulators, institutional investors, the media, and NGOs who demand corporations to be accountable.

This study examines whether the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) corporate governance principles a... more This study examines whether the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) corporate governance principles and regulations have influenced anti-bribery disclosure practices by the top 100 ASX-listed companies from 2001-2011. Nineteen specific anti-bribery issues were considered under two general categories of disclosures: commitment and performance. The findings show that anti-bribery disclosures appear to be a response to the ASX corporate governance regulations — the regulations that the broader community expects to be in place for businesses to be ethically accountable. The findings in particular show that commitment disclosures are more responsive to regulations than to performance disclosures. The findings also show that the anti-bribery disclosures of companies having operations in high risk regions for bribery are significantly more responsive to the regulations than the disclosures of companies having operations in low risk regions.

The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of media scrutiny and a networked governanc... more The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of media scrutiny and a networked governance of National and International Government Organisation (IGOs) on the extent of voluntary corporate disclosure in the global telecommunication sector in response to incidents of corporate bribery. Design/Methodology/Approach: An anti-bribery disclosure categorisation index was developed from various anti-bribery guidelines developed by IGOs to collect and analyse the data used in this study. This study relied on a content analysis of news media articles, corporate annual reports and standalone sustainability reports (from 1995-2010) of two global telecommunication companies [Alcatel-Lucent-a French based global company; Siemens AG-a German based global company], to understand corporate performance disclosures on combating corporate bribery. Findings: The findings underpinned by a joint consideration of legitimacy theory, media agenda setting theory and responsive regulation theory, show that the change in corporate disclosures on combating bribery were positively associated with the extent of negative media attention and the movement of IGOs in combating corporate bribery in global corporations. A system of networked-governance with IGOs appears to have a significant influence on international business practice. Originality/Value: In the context of the literature on social accounting, this is believed to be the first known study to document and understand the trend in anti-bribery related performance disclosures and the influence of external stakeholders on such practices.

This paper explores the motivation for the use of social audits in the supply chains of multinati... more This paper explores the motivation for the use of social audits in the supply chains of multinational companies (MNCs) sourcing clothing products from a developing nation. We investigate the practice of social audits in the supply chains of MNCs based upon a range of interviews with key operatives within the garment industry in Bangladesh. Our results show that social audits are typically not advancing workers' rights but where there are advances, they occur because of the financial penalties that would otherwise be imposed on suppliers (through loss of contracts). Consistent with the notion of institutional decoupling, our results suggest that MNCs appear to use social audits as an instrument to maintain and re-establish their legitimacy rather than ensuring accountability to workers (who are the most affected stakeholders). This is the first known study that investigates how social audits are undertaken by MNCs sourcing products from a developing nation; the implications this has for supply chain claims; what motivations drive the adoption of such audits and what, if anything, are the likely outcomes from the process.

This paper investigates the human rights performance reporting practices of the top 50 Australian... more This paper investigates the human rights performance reporting practices of the top 50 Australian financial service companies listed in the Australian Stock Exchange. All corporate reporting media, including annual reports, Social Responsibility Reports (CSR) and company websites, were reviewed to document their disclosure practices for the current period (2009/2010). In considering a number of international voluntary guidelines on human rights, a content analysis instrument containing 80 specific human rights themes, under 10 general categories, was developed to examine corporate reporting media. The results remain intensely unimpressive. The number of companies that disclosed human rights items is extremely low; the majority of the items were not disclosed by any of the companies under investigation. However, compared to CSR reports and company websites, annual reports were the preferable media used to disclose human rights issues. The result indicates how ineffective the voluntary global guidelines are in ensuring that Australian financial corporations report on their human rights performances.

Australian Accounting Review, 2012

W ithin the social and environmental accounting literature, accounting researchers have studied v... more W ithin the social and environmental accounting literature, accounting researchers have studied various issues including: the motivations for particular disclosures (see, for example,

CSR, Sustainability, Ethics & Governance, 2014

This study provides some preliminary insight in relation to the use of social audits by the globa... more This study provides some preliminary insight in relation to the use of social audits by the global clothing and retail companies that source garment products from developing nations. In the era of globalisation, companies based in developed nations have transferred their production locations to many parts of the developing nations. At the same time, there are widespread global stakeholder concerns about the use of child labour, inadequate health and safety standards and poor working conditions at many of these production locations. Social audits appear to be a tool used by companies to monitor working conditions and to ensure that manufacturing takes place in a humane working environment. The study finds that companies use social auditing in order to maintain their legitimacy within the wider community.

Public Money & Management, 2014

Despite widespread public attention towards corruption and bribery within local councils, extant ... more Despite widespread public attention towards corruption and bribery within local councils, extant research has failed to adequately investigate how corruption and bribery-related concerns are created or how bribery-related problems can be solved. This paper particularly focuses on Australian local councils to explore public concerns about corruption and bribery within the councils and provide possible guidance for policy makers to control bribery. A regulatory deficiency seems to be a major reason why local councils do not take appropriate anti-corruption or bribery measures. Therefore, regulators need to impose radical and mandatory requirements, especially reporting requirements, on local councils.

CSR, Sustainability, Ethics & Governance, 2014

The stakeholder network is an important contributing factor in influencing corporations to be soc... more The stakeholder network is an important contributing factor in influencing corporations to be socially and ethically accountable. This chapter summarises some of the roles of the stakeholders discussed in the prior chapters with the help of an extended analysis of legitimacy theory. Members of the stakeholder network, in particular, the media and NGOs, are the focus of the discussion. The chapter concludes with a theoretical model derived from stakeholder network and legitimacy theory.

Accounting and Business Research, 2010

... Mauritz. Utilising a joint consideration of legitimacy theory and media agenda setting theory... more ... Mauritz. Utilising a joint consideration of legitimacy theory and media agenda setting theory, we investigate the linkage between negative media attention, and positive corporate social and environmental disclosures. Our results ...

SSRN Electronic Journal, 2009

Use of the Media to Create Changes in Corporate Activities and Accountabilities: Evidence from a ... more Use of the Media to Create Changes in Corporate Activities and Accountabilities: Evidence from a Developing Country', At the time of final submission of this thesis the paper is about to submit to a top tier accounting journal.

Journal of the Asia Pacific Centre For Environmental Accountability, Jun 1, 2010

Business Strategy and Sustainability, 2012

Developments in Corporate Governance and Responsibility, 2012

SSRN Electronic Journal, 2019

The global economy relies on corporate sourcing and procurement practices along complex transnati... more The global economy relies on corporate sourcing and procurement practices along complex transnational supply chains. Some goods and services that find their way to the consumer public are sourced in contexts tainted by modern slavery, including forced labour and human trafficking. Mandatory reporting and disclosure schemes have long been used to manage risk and impact across various aspects of corporate and market activity. It is only more recently that some governments have begun to use such mechanisms in the context of human rights, including specifically to address modern slavery risks in supply chains. Based on experiences in other countries, Australia’s Modern Slavery Act (2018) (Cth) is the most recent example of an emerging global regulatory initiative of using domestic legislative models to increase transparency and associated stakeholder engagement to address modern slavery risks in supply chains.

Social and Environmental Accountability Journal, 2016

This study examines the accounting and accountability practices of Fairtrade International (FLO),... more This study examines the accounting and accountability practices of Fairtrade International (FLO), one of the largest Fair Trade umbrella organizations. Our aim is to explore whether new forms of accounting and related disclosures emerge in the reporting practices of FLO and how these reflect their self-declared social mission towards the emancipation and sustainability of producers. Using thematic analysis and reflecting on Bourdieu's theory of symbolic power, we analyse FLO's reporting practices from 2006 to 2013. Our findings reveal that FLO mobilises the taken-forgranted images and symbols of 'fairness' in the Fair Trade system by using descriptive statistics of Fair Trade premium distributions and pictures of producers but keeps silent to current concerns surrounding the limitations of Fair Trade. Such findings extend important insights into how new forms of accounting and related disclosure are used to legitimise the practice of Fair Trade.

CSR, Sustainability, Ethics & Governance, 2016

Although there is growing research that examines CSR reporting within the context of developing n... more Although there is growing research that examines CSR reporting within the context of developing nations, few attempts have been made to theorize this phenomenon. The aim of this study is to explore the possibility of using the legitimacy theory as a plausible explanation for CSR reporting practices by organizations within the context of developing nations. In terms of the future direction of the applicability of the legitimacy theory, there appears to be a number of subject areas or legitimacy threatening incidents to be researched within the context of developing nations.

Developments in Corporate Governance and Responsibility, 2015

This chapter explores the impact of UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Rio + 20 in improv... more This chapter explores the impact of UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Rio + 20 in improving Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practices. While MDGs and Rio + 20 have suggested additive guidelines for improving CSR practices, they do not provide a strong legislative mandate. We find both MDGs and Rio + 20 have had limited cumulative effect on CSR practices and discourses within the corporate reports. UN bodies should bring a new policy and regulatory framework that addresses limitations in the principles espoused in the MDGs and Rio + 20. An independent monitoring system (a social compliance audit mechanism) can be mandated in an attempt to make incremental substantive change.

Developments in Corporate Governance and Responsibility, 2015

This chapter focuses on the development of corporate human rights standards since the United Nati... more This chapter focuses on the development of corporate human rights standards since the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, better known as the Earth Summit was held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. One of the important agendas for this Summit was human rights (apart from the climate change issue). This chapter provides a critical evaluation of institutional change in human rights guidelines and associated corporate (non) accountability in relation to human rights in line with the RIO summit. Based on a review of the media reports, archival documents and a case study, we argue that while there are a number of international organisations working towards the creation of corporate accountability in relation to human rights, there is limited real change in corporate action when faced with no government regulation. A radical (reform-based) approach, such as mandatory monitoring (compliance audit) and disclosure requirements is necessary to ensure corporate accountability in relation to human rights.

Social Responsibility Journal, 2011

PurposeThe aim of this study is to elicit accountants' perceptions regarding corporate social... more PurposeThe aim of this study is to elicit accountants' perceptions regarding corporate social and environmental accounting and reporting practices in a developing country such as Bangladesh.Design/methodology/approachMembers of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB) were surveyed to determine their perceptions on issues pertaining to social and environmental accounting and reporting practices in Bangladesh.FindingsWhilst the findings show that accountants have positive attitudes toward corporate social and environmental accounting, progress is limited, with the absence of ICAB in making any noticeable effort to develop such practices.Research implicationsUnlike prior studies, the implications of this study suggest that without international influence, it is less likely that institutional forces in Bangladesh (ICAB and the government) would be effective in dealing with social and environmental accounting and reporting issues.Originality/valueWhile prior studi...

This paper investigates the stakeholder pressures behind corporate accountability and disclosures... more This paper investigates the stakeholder pressures behind corporate accountability and disclosures in relation to climate change. By means of a questionnaire survey, the study focuses on ascertaining the views of a sample of stakeholder groups such as government bodies, institutional investors, environmental NGOs, media accounting professionals, and researchers to examine their perceptions of pressures upon Australian corporations to be accountable in relation to climate change. Prior social and environmental research found that NGOs (Deegan and Blomquist, 2006; Tilt, 1994) and the media (Brown and Deegan, 1996; Islam and Deegan, 2010) were powerful stakeholder groups influencing corporate social and environmental disclosure practices. Our paper finds that along with NGOs and the media, institutional investors and regulators (governments) are equally important and powerful actors for applying pressure for corporate accountability in relation to climate change. Based on the findings of the paper, we would argue that climate change is an issue with no single stakeholder group involved, rather it is a set of stakeholder groups including regulators, institutional investors, the media, and NGOs who demand corporations to be accountable.

This study examines whether the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) corporate governance principles a... more This study examines whether the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) corporate governance principles and regulations have influenced anti-bribery disclosure practices by the top 100 ASX-listed companies from 2001-2011. Nineteen specific anti-bribery issues were considered under two general categories of disclosures: commitment and performance. The findings show that anti-bribery disclosures appear to be a response to the ASX corporate governance regulations — the regulations that the broader community expects to be in place for businesses to be ethically accountable. The findings in particular show that commitment disclosures are more responsive to regulations than to performance disclosures. The findings also show that the anti-bribery disclosures of companies having operations in high risk regions for bribery are significantly more responsive to the regulations than the disclosures of companies having operations in low risk regions.

The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of media scrutiny and a networked governanc... more The purpose of this paper is to examine the influence of media scrutiny and a networked governance of National and International Government Organisation (IGOs) on the extent of voluntary corporate disclosure in the global telecommunication sector in response to incidents of corporate bribery. Design/Methodology/Approach: An anti-bribery disclosure categorisation index was developed from various anti-bribery guidelines developed by IGOs to collect and analyse the data used in this study. This study relied on a content analysis of news media articles, corporate annual reports and standalone sustainability reports (from 1995-2010) of two global telecommunication companies [Alcatel-Lucent-a French based global company; Siemens AG-a German based global company], to understand corporate performance disclosures on combating corporate bribery. Findings: The findings underpinned by a joint consideration of legitimacy theory, media agenda setting theory and responsive regulation theory, show that the change in corporate disclosures on combating bribery were positively associated with the extent of negative media attention and the movement of IGOs in combating corporate bribery in global corporations. A system of networked-governance with IGOs appears to have a significant influence on international business practice. Originality/Value: In the context of the literature on social accounting, this is believed to be the first known study to document and understand the trend in anti-bribery related performance disclosures and the influence of external stakeholders on such practices.

This paper explores the motivation for the use of social audits in the supply chains of multinati... more This paper explores the motivation for the use of social audits in the supply chains of multinational companies (MNCs) sourcing clothing products from a developing nation. We investigate the practice of social audits in the supply chains of MNCs based upon a range of interviews with key operatives within the garment industry in Bangladesh. Our results show that social audits are typically not advancing workers' rights but where there are advances, they occur because of the financial penalties that would otherwise be imposed on suppliers (through loss of contracts). Consistent with the notion of institutional decoupling, our results suggest that MNCs appear to use social audits as an instrument to maintain and re-establish their legitimacy rather than ensuring accountability to workers (who are the most affected stakeholders). This is the first known study that investigates how social audits are undertaken by MNCs sourcing products from a developing nation; the implications this has for supply chain claims; what motivations drive the adoption of such audits and what, if anything, are the likely outcomes from the process.

This paper investigates the human rights performance reporting practices of the top 50 Australian... more This paper investigates the human rights performance reporting practices of the top 50 Australian financial service companies listed in the Australian Stock Exchange. All corporate reporting media, including annual reports, Social Responsibility Reports (CSR) and company websites, were reviewed to document their disclosure practices for the current period (2009/2010). In considering a number of international voluntary guidelines on human rights, a content analysis instrument containing 80 specific human rights themes, under 10 general categories, was developed to examine corporate reporting media. The results remain intensely unimpressive. The number of companies that disclosed human rights items is extremely low; the majority of the items were not disclosed by any of the companies under investigation. However, compared to CSR reports and company websites, annual reports were the preferable media used to disclose human rights issues. The result indicates how ineffective the voluntary global guidelines are in ensuring that Australian financial corporations report on their human rights performances.

Australian Accounting Review, 2012

W ithin the social and environmental accounting literature, accounting researchers have studied v... more W ithin the social and environmental accounting literature, accounting researchers have studied various issues including: the motivations for particular disclosures (see, for example,

CSR, Sustainability, Ethics & Governance, 2014

This study provides some preliminary insight in relation to the use of social audits by the globa... more This study provides some preliminary insight in relation to the use of social audits by the global clothing and retail companies that source garment products from developing nations. In the era of globalisation, companies based in developed nations have transferred their production locations to many parts of the developing nations. At the same time, there are widespread global stakeholder concerns about the use of child labour, inadequate health and safety standards and poor working conditions at many of these production locations. Social audits appear to be a tool used by companies to monitor working conditions and to ensure that manufacturing takes place in a humane working environment. The study finds that companies use social auditing in order to maintain their legitimacy within the wider community.

Public Money & Management, 2014

Despite widespread public attention towards corruption and bribery within local councils, extant ... more Despite widespread public attention towards corruption and bribery within local councils, extant research has failed to adequately investigate how corruption and bribery-related concerns are created or how bribery-related problems can be solved. This paper particularly focuses on Australian local councils to explore public concerns about corruption and bribery within the councils and provide possible guidance for policy makers to control bribery. A regulatory deficiency seems to be a major reason why local councils do not take appropriate anti-corruption or bribery measures. Therefore, regulators need to impose radical and mandatory requirements, especially reporting requirements, on local councils.

CSR, Sustainability, Ethics & Governance, 2014

The stakeholder network is an important contributing factor in influencing corporations to be soc... more The stakeholder network is an important contributing factor in influencing corporations to be socially and ethically accountable. This chapter summarises some of the roles of the stakeholders discussed in the prior chapters with the help of an extended analysis of legitimacy theory. Members of the stakeholder network, in particular, the media and NGOs, are the focus of the discussion. The chapter concludes with a theoretical model derived from stakeholder network and legitimacy theory.

Accounting and Business Research, 2010

... Mauritz. Utilising a joint consideration of legitimacy theory and media agenda setting theory... more ... Mauritz. Utilising a joint consideration of legitimacy theory and media agenda setting theory, we investigate the linkage between negative media attention, and positive corporate social and environmental disclosures. Our results ...

SSRN Electronic Journal, 2009

Use of the Media to Create Changes in Corporate Activities and Accountabilities: Evidence from a ... more Use of the Media to Create Changes in Corporate Activities and Accountabilities: Evidence from a Developing Country', At the time of final submission of this thesis the paper is about to submit to a top tier accounting journal.

Journal of the Asia Pacific Centre For Environmental Accountability, Jun 1, 2010

Business Strategy and Sustainability, 2012

Developments in Corporate Governance and Responsibility, 2012