Informes de sostenibilidasd en cooperativas de crédito: un análisis de su divulgación en Europa

Abstract

Cooperative banks, as a social economy institution, have a special relationship with sustainability. Given the lack of previous studies, we aim to develop an exploratory analysis on sustainability reporting in European cooperative banks. On one hand, we studied the sustainability reporting evolution to know whether the crisis influenced on this practice. On the other hand, we compared cooperative reports with banks' reports. Moreover, we analysed the sustainability reports content to know what information is disclosed by cooperative banks.The results show that although the number of cooperative banks' reports is low, it responds to the weight in the European market. They also illustrate the late incorporation of cooperative banks into sustainability reporting (consequence of their conservative nature). We cannot conclude that differences between banks and cooperative banks were significant, but -in relation to private banks-cooperatives stand out in the use of latest standards, integrated reporting and best application levels. Regarding to the content of sustainability reports, cooperative banks provide more social issues than economic or environmental issues. In the current situation, disclosing information about sustainability would help to reinforce the stakeholders' trust.

Sustainability reporting in banks: History of studies and a conceptual framework for thinking about the future by learning from the past

“…While in ordinary banks non‐financial reports focus more on economic aspects, cooperative banks disclose more on social profiles and seem to show better levels of application of reporting standards (Bollas‐Araya et al, 2014). Despite this, the sustainability reporting of the segment does not appear to have yet reached an adequate level of disclosure.…”

“…The studies from the multidimensional phase mainly concerned the existing state of sustainability reporting (Khan et al, 2014; Sobhani et al, 2012), its development and expected trends (Sobhani et al, 2011), and its compliance with the GRI framework, frequently used as a tool for assessing the completeness and quality of the reports (Islam et al, 2016; Khan et al, 2011; Smit & van Zyl, 2016; Tiong & Anantharaman, 2011) and their focus (Bollas‐Araya et al, 2014; Islam & Chowdhury, 2016).…”

“…2017. 2021 TOTAL of influencing banking reporting practices is the type of bank, with respect to which a significant distinction that emerged from the study is that between cooperative banks and ordinary banks.While in ordinary banks non-financial reports focus more on economic aspects, cooperative banks disclose more on social profiles and seem to show better levels of application of reporting standards(Bollas-Araya et al, 2014). Despite this, the sustainability reporting of the segment does not appear to have yet reached an adequate level of disclosure.…”

Corporate social responsibility: a model for companies in the solidarity sector

“…As the interest in sustainability issues is consolidated in all social, economic and environmental dynamics, Poveda (2013) concludes that it has been the product of historical strategies in acting with the logic of the environment, framed in regulatory compliance, good production practices, efficient management of natural resources and green economy. This is why the so-called sustainability reports are ideal and of notable relevance to disclose CSR performances; (Bollas, Seguí, & Polo, 2014).…”

La responsabilidad social empresarial. Revisión para el sector solidario

“…Los informes de sostenibilidad son el modo de divulgación para evidenciar los comportamientos de la RSE; así pues (Bollas, Seguí, & Polo, 2014) ya que la sostenibilidad en los últimos tiempos es un aspecto de relevancia en el mundo empresarial y la tendencia genera voluntariedad consciente para ser demostrada para la difusión y retroalimentación con los grupos de interés.…”