RT Journal Article
T1 What are the drivers behind Portuguese companies’ reporting on sustainable development goals?
A1 Loureiro, Alice
A1 Monteiro, Sónia
A1 Aibar Guzmán, Beatriz
A1 Ribeiro, Verónica
A1 Lemos, Kátia
K1 Sustainable Development Goals
K1 2030 Agenda
K1 Sustainability reporting
K1 SDG reporting
K1 Portugal
AB Objective: This study explores how large Portuguese companies have started to integrate the SDGs into their non-financial reporting practices, and analyses some potential drivers of SDG reporting.Methodology: Standalone non-financial reports were collected from 2016 to 2022, resulting in a total of 161 reports from 41 companies. Through a content analysis of the non-financial reports, an index was developed to measure the level of SDG disclosure.Results: The results show that there is an increasing trend of reporting on the SDGs among large Portuguese companies, albeit at a slow and modest pace, mainly through sustainability reports. On average, Portuguese companies disclose on half of the 17 SDGs. In terms of the determinants of SDG reporting, listing, industry, adherence to the GRI framework and external assurance of reports by a Big4 firm were found to be determinants of SDG disclosure in our sample. Contrary to our expectations, ISO certification, sustainability committee and extended reporting are not significantly associated with the level of SDG disclosure by large Portuguese companies.Limitations: Our study has limitations, notably a small sample size. The SDG disclosure index we used only indicates whether information on SDGs is disclosed, without assessing content extent or quality, potentially limiting stakeholder value.Practical implications: Companies aiming to improve SDG disclosure should consider adopting the GRI framework or seeking assurance from a Big 4 firm. Additionally, regulators could use our findings when designing policies aimed at enhancing SDG reporting.
PB ESIC
SN 0212-1867
YR 2024
FD 2024
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10347/41151
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10347/41151
LA eng
NO Loureiro, A.; Monteiro, S.; Aibar-Guzmán, B. & Ribeiro, V. (2024). What are the drivers behind Portuguese companies’ reporting on sustainable development goals? ESIC Market. Economics and Business Journal, 55(3), e354. DOI: 10.7200/ESICM.55.354
NO FCT - Foundation for Science and Technology: multi-annual funding UIDB/ 04043/2020
DS Minerva
RD 25 abr 2026