The adoption of the materiality concept in social and environmental reporting assurance: A field study approach

Edgley, Carla ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7922-1994, Jones, Michael J. and Atkins, Jill 2015. The adoption of the materiality concept in social and environmental reporting assurance: A field study approach. British Accounting Review 47 (1) , pp. 1-18. 10.1016/j.bar.2014.11.001

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Abstract

This study investigates the logics or values that shape the social and environmental reporting (SER) and SER assurance (SERA) process. The influence of logics is observed through a study of the conceptualisation and operationalisation of the materiality concept by accounting and non-accounting assurors and their assurance statements. We gathered qualitative data from interviews with both accounting and non-accounting assurors. We analysed the interplay between old and new logics that are shaping materiality as a reporting concept in SER. SER is a rich field in which to study the dynamics of change because it is a voluntary, unregulated, qualitative reporting arena. It has a broad, stakeholder audience, where accounting and non-accounting organisations are in competition. There are three key findings. First, the introduction of a new, stakeholder logic has significantly changed the meaning and role of materiality. Second, a more versatile, performative, social understanding of materiality was portrayed by assurors, with a forward-looking rather than a historic focus. Third, competing logics have encouraged different beliefs about materiality, and practices, to develop. This influenced the way assurors theorised the concept and interpreted outcomes. A patchwork of localised understandings of materiality is developing. Policy implications both in SERA and also in financial audit are explored.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Business (Including Economics)
Publisher:	Elsevier
ISSN:	0890-8389
Date of Acceptance:	5 November 2014
Last Modified:	27 Oct 2022 10:08
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/68981

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