According to the legitimacy theory, disclosure can be considered as a tool for responding to the changingperceptions of a company's stakeholders. Based on this theory, this study, through a case study, examines thereaction of companies in terms of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) disclosure to catastrophic events that have a negative effect on the corporate image. Specifically, this study examines the integrated reportsprovided by Atlantia in the two years preceding the collapse of the Morandi bridge and in the year of the catastrophic event. The results, however, do not demonstrate significant changes to the ESG disclosure by Atlantia following the catastrophic event. The changes made can in fact be considered as a normal evolution of disclosure policies and not as an attempt to repair the lost legitimacy.
Is ESG Disclosure a Means to Respond to Catastrophic Events? A Case Study Analysis
Marrone A;
2020-01-01
Abstract
According to the legitimacy theory, disclosure can be considered as a tool for responding to the changingperceptions of a company's stakeholders. Based on this theory, this study, through a case study, examines thereaction of companies in terms of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) disclosure to catastrophic events that have a negative effect on the corporate image. Specifically, this study examines the integrated reportsprovided by Atlantia in the two years preceding the collapse of the Morandi bridge and in the year of the catastrophic event. The results, however, do not demonstrate significant changes to the ESG disclosure by Atlantia following the catastrophic event. The changes made can in fact be considered as a normal evolution of disclosure policies and not as an attempt to repair the lost legitimacy.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
