Purpose. The paper aims at finding out how significantly stakeholders are consulted and involved by preparers, Ukrainian publicly-listed agricultural companies, while compiling sustainability reporting (SR) and by assurance providers, during assurance processes of SR. The paper’s main research question may be formulated as follows ‘How deeply stakeholders are involved at Ukrainian agricultural companies in the preparation of their sustainability reporting and assurance?’ Methodology / approach. The study utilizes widely used techniques in this field content analysis of sustainability reports based on suggested coding rules which in turn grounded in the leading literature. Authors use a multidimensional coding system (with a maximum score of 12 points) which consists of three elements and offers an aggregate assessment of the information disclosure of the involvement of stakeholders in sustainability reporting. Also authors base on frameworks for classification of the stakeholders’ engagement level into three levels (information, response and involvement strategies). The paper’s sample although tiny, only five years/company observations, is comprehensive since it includes all Ukrainian agricultural companies presented in GRI SDD database one of the largest databases of its kind. To analyze only the latest relevant experience, authors have limited the report type to the latest GRI modification – GRI Standards. As a result of five steps in the sample formation process, it is equal to 3 companies that produced 5 reports in the period between 2017 and 2019 years. Results. While the used coding structure allowed for a maximum of 12 points, the analysed reports were able to reach only half of this as one report earned 7, one – 6 and the rest was marked with 5 points. From the three companies from our sample frontrunner is Astarta Holding. Astarta Holding excels in materiality relevance (4 points) and is the only company assured its sustainability report. Authors find that the engagement strategy of the companies being analyzed mostly consists of action intended to inform (level 1) as well as consult and support stakeholders (level 2), whilst deep involvement strategy (level 3) is being almost neglected. In regards to focus, we find that the most cited stakeholders in engagement actions are on level 1 employees, consumers and suppliers. Consumers also alongside authorities and local communities are the most cited stakeholders on the level of response strategy, whereas the authorities are the single stakeholders' group being honoured to be treated on the highest third level. The authors’ general impression is that for the most part legitimacy theory is the best theory to explain the behaviour of compilers of reports from the sample because mostly management uses rhetorical tools to cover its activities, while the reporting itself lacks specifics about negative externalities. For authors, it looks like an exercise in self-legitimization. It appears that the companies studied has not yet fully performed the transfer from ‘stakeholder management’ to ‘stakeholder engagement’. It is the authors’ understanding that all this has roots in the very perverted perception of sustainability reporting as a continuation of financial reporting although it is not. In financial reporting, materiality is defined internally as a percentage of some indicators in the balance sheet and/or statement of financial performance, in sustainable reporting, materiality is not only important in the assurance, but it is a cornerstone in the preparation of SR itself. Originality / scientific novelty. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first that extends the analysis the stakeholders’ engagement in the sustainability reporting to the Ukrainian agricultural companies, thus shedding some light on that unexplored (underexplored) practice. Practical value / implications. First, sustainability reporting practices in Ukraine is in its infancy, and therefore any shortcomings identified will be a guide to action to adjust these approaches in the future. Secondly, our analysis can also be seen as the dissemination of best practices. The companies we have chosen are pioneers in this matter, so they can at the same time be considered as role models for others, but taking into account the experience gained by them. Besides, in addition to companies, our findings can be useful for regulators and public authorities alike in terms of adjusting the approach to regulating this area.
The paper explores how companies from Central and Eastern Europe adopt assurance practices to provide accountability for sustainability. Drawing on modified coding rules from prior research, a conventional content analysis of 36 assurance statements companies from nine countries was conducted. The results imply differences in the content of reports, processes, and implementation of the standards. Exclusively large and multinational enterprises from the energy sectors domiciled in Poland and Hungary are a typical portrait of a company from the study’s sample, striving to issue and assure sustainability reporting. Of the nine countries represented in the study, sustainability assurance statements of companies from Poland, Hungary, and Romania tend to excel in terms of quality. The vast majority of assurance providers belong to the Big Four, who use ISAE3000 as opposed to AA1100AS. Yet, irrespective of the assurance provider type, stakeholders are neglected. It is argued that just transferring the experience of financial auditing to the field of sustainability, which, by and large, has taken place, is not an option. Authors state that following this route, we are heading in the wrong direction, and in technical terms, the wider proliferation of AA1100AS and its principles, with greater emphasis on reasonable assurance as opposed to the limited and enhanced role of stakeholders, are vital to get back on track. The paper contributes to the emerging literature on accountability standards and stresses the need to enhance sustainability-related assurance.
The research relevance is predefined by the need to find ways to increase the profitability of agricultural production in the difficult economic conditions of Ukraine. The research aims to analyse the profitability of agricultural production, influencing factors and determination of directions for its improvement. The methodological approach is based on the analysis of statistical data on changes in production profitability; method of average values – to obtain the average value of indicators; comparison method – to compare data on profitability and productivity between types of products; graphic method – to display the results; method of generalization – for summarizing information about agricultural production. The main results that were obtained within the scope of this study should cover the analysis of the profitability of agricultural production by its types and crop yield and regions of the country in the conditions of the impact of negative factors on the agricultural sector during the period of martial law (in particular, the reduction of land suitable for agriculture, blocking many ways to sell products, complicating the supply of mineral fertilizers and other goods necessary for the functioning of the agrarian sector) and highlight directions for increasing profitability, namely increasing the yield of certain types of crops; reduction of feed costs for feeding animals by growing feed and electricity production efficiency through the use of renewable energy sources (sun, wind, biomass energy); development of pig meat production by increasing their population and quality of nutrition; creation of added value from products obtained by the producer on his own land, which will contribute to increased profitability and successful development of agriculture. Analysis of the supply and demand balance of grain and leguminous crops showed that their production exceeds the need for consumption of all types of grain. The results and conclusions have practical significance for agricultural producers in business management, as well as for the government in developing areas of support for the agricultural sector
The peculiarities of patent protection of biotechnological inventions have been investigated as a factor of transformation of national economic and legal processes. It has been established that the conditions for obtaining of a patent for biotechnological inventions differ from the conditions of patenting in other spheres, since all biotechnology inventions directly or indirectly are the product of nature. It has been determined that the issue of the conformity of such inventions with the patentability conditions is a key issue when providing the intellectual property (IP) rights for biotechnological inventions. The invention in the field of biotechnology meets the requirements of patentability, provided that it is new, has an inventive level and is industrially suitable. It has been substantiated that the same standards of patenting of inventions in the field of biotechnology can not be applied in different legal systems, therefore corresponding decisions should be made on the basis of the national law. It has been established that the increase of applications submitted in Ukraine for biotechnology inventions during 2013-2017 has been ensured due to the inventive activity of foreign applicants. It has been also determined that the absence of special legislative regulation of relations related to biotechnology constrains the development of the biotechnological industry in Ukraine. The key role of the state system of legal protection of IP has been proved, since the introduction of effective IP management mechanisms and integrated support for innovators are one of the main factors of the determination of the possibility of affirmation in the global IP system.
The aim of the study is to identify the influence of institutionalism on the accounting profession in Ukraine, in particular, to establish and assess the factors of such influence, its tools, characteristics and forecasting, on this basis, the prospects for the development of the institution of the accounting profession with an emphasis on the agricultural industry. Institutional impact on the accounting profession and its consequences are revealed through the use of a historical approach in research. To assess the initial conditions that have developed in Ukraine in matters of accounting, its development, the impact on it of existing institutions, including international ones, empirical analysis and assessment of the process of institutionalization of the accounting profession and its description in scientific professional literature were applied. To collect sociological information on the nature and characteristics of the accounting profession, a survey was conducted of 180 accountants of private agricultural enterprises and 70 accountants of state enterprises of the system of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine in the context of 4 elements of the profession: functions and professional ethics of an accountant, legal regulation of accounting activities (organization and methodology accounting and reporting), educational training of accountants, professional accounting associations. To summarize the results of the survey, their illustration and analytical assessment, a graphical method was used. The use of modeling allowed confirmation of the assumption of the conservative nature of the accounting profession in Ukraine and the problematic nature of its self-regulated development. The authors concluded that it is necessary to improve the institution of the accounting profession in Ukraine, provide arguments and directions for solving problematic issues, in particular, the development of the professional movement and self-organization, improving the quality of training of accounting specialists in educational institutions, developing accounting methodology for the agricultural sector, improving the composition and accounting display of accounting objects.
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