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Media type:
E-Article
Title:
Exploring the meaning of climate change discourses: an impression management exercise?
Contributor:
Nik Ahmad, Nik Nazli;
Hossain, Dewan Mahboob
Published:
Emerald, 2019
Published in:
Accounting Research Journal, 32 (2019) 2, Seite 113-128
Language:
English
DOI:
10.1108/arj-07-2016-0085
ISSN:
1030-9616
Origination:
Footnote:
Description:
PurposeThis study aims to analyze how language is used to present climate change information in the narratives of Malaysian companies’ annual reports.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses content analysis and discourse analysis, and Brennan et al.’s (2009) impression management strategies and legitimacy theory were applied to explain findings.FindingsMuch of the discourses are rhetorical in nature and can be considered as corporate attempts to appear concerned for climate change, consistent with an attempt to appear legitimate and manage impressions.Research limitations/implicationsThe first limitation is the purposive sampling used which limits the generalizability of the findings. The second limitation is that the study neglects to focus on companies in environmentally sensitive sectors which have more substantial adverse impacts. The third limitation is that the study did not examine all types of impression management strategies, limiting itself only to strategies which provide a favorable view of the firm. Finally, the study did not attempt to investigate the different levels of impression management strategies.Practical implicationsA major practical implication is for regulators to consider mandatory climate change reporting at least for the sectors which contribute adversely to global warming.Originality/valueThis is a first attempt to examine climate change discourses in a developing country.