Can Graphs in Sustainability Reports Actually Manage Impressions? An Analysis from the Investors’ Perspective

Rise and Fall of the Materiality Matrix: Lessons from a Missed Takeoff

“…In detail, in the reporting period immediately after the GRI 3 came into force, mimetic isomorphisms (which generally accompany uncertainty) could be detected under the New Institutional Theory lens, as carried out, for example, by Lakshan et al (2021) on a materiality exercise in IR. In subsequent periods, impression management (Merkl-Davies and Brennan 2007) or managerial capture (O'Dwyer 2003) lenses could be used to examine graphical choices in NFR disclosure (Cho et al 2012a(Cho et al , 2012bJones 2011;Pesci et al 2015Pesci et al , 2020 and assurance (Owen et al 2000), respectively. Finally, the lack of in-depth knowledge on the very drivers of the MM path (i.e., full trust and mechanic compliance) could open up the use of the "path-dependency" framework (Sydow et al 2009) to explain the stability of graphical practices adopted during the maturity of the GRI 3 application.…”

The joint effect of animated graphs and motion verbs on investor judgments

“…As a result, graphs are more effective at holding the attention of readers and enable readers to make decisions more quickly (Yates, 1985). Given the ubiquity of graphs within the context of disclosures and information, there are also a number of studies within the accounting context examining the influence of graphical presentations on investors (Zhang, 2020;Pesci et al, 2020). Relatedly, Zhang (2020) examines the influence of the use of vividly presented infographics on investor judgments.…”