Assessing business sustainability reporting practices in Stanbic bank Uganda holding Limited

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to assess business sustainability reporting practices in Stanbic Uganda Holdings Limited. Using the objectives - to assess the degree to which the G4 reporting principles of balance and comparability are embedded into the sustainability disclosures of Stanbic Uganda - to examine the benefits and the challenges of sustainability reporting in Stanbic Uganda. These objectives were reinforced by the triple bottom line that reconciles social, economic, and environmental sustainability. Environmental pillar emphasizes environmental sound life-support systems are in place, the ways through which resources will not be used up faster than they are being replenished, and the transition toward low carbon emissions. The study followed case study research design where quantitative research data was collected and analysed and predicted control variables of the objectives of the study, qualitative research explained and validated the quantitative findings. The study was carried out in Stanbic Uganda, Kampala Central, Kampala District. The total population for this study was 45. This included Capital Markets Authority certified public investment advisory companies in Uganda (30); SU Sustainability staff (5), Investor relations staff (5) and Public affairs staff (5). From which a sample of 40 was selected using purposive and simple rando sampling techniques. Quantitative data was collected using self-administered questionnaires where respondents were asked to give their opinions basing on Likert scale. Qualitative data was collected using interview guide. Collected data was tested using CVI where all the four coefficient values for variables were above benchmark of 0.7. Data was tested for reliability using Cronbach’s Alpha reliability Coefficient whose overall value 0.84 exceeds 0.70 hence items in the instrument were reliable for data collection. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics, frequencies, percentage proportions and mean values were computed. The standard deviation indicated how responses were spread away from the mean value. The study found out that Stanbic Uganda sustainability reports disclose portray both favourable and unfavourable results and aspects, and the information in SU sustainability reports is presented in a format that allows users to see positive and negative trends in performance on a year-to-year basis are the major predictors of the extent to which G4 reporting principles of balance are embedded into SU sustainability disclosures. The predictors for principles of comparability included SU sustainability reports utilized generally accepted protocols for compiling, measuring, and presenting information, including the information contained in the GRI guidelines. And SU sustainability reports, and the information contained within them can be compared on a year-to-year basis, and SU sustainability reports use GRI Sector Disclosures, when available. The benefits of sustainability reporting include boosts bank and group’s reputation, raises the Bank and group’s market value and worth, boosts overall performance of SU, increases market share as well as revenue and profitability of SU. The major challenge was involuntary sustainability disclosures, others included lack of transparency in supply chains, restriction by the BOD and Senior Executives to stay genuine and use symbolic manipulation in reporting, access to reliable data and high costs as well as clients’ implementation of and compliance with environmental and social requirements. The study recommends that SU maintains portray of both favourable and unfavourable results and aspects because past studies show that previous business sustainability reporting was not balanced, generally accepted guidelines be enacted by Parliament of Uganda like Indian Companies Act of 2013 CSR mandate. The SU sustainability reports use GRI Sector Disclosures not only when available, study recommends that these reports are made available, and accessible to the public. And that Stanbic Uganda continues with sustainability disclosures because they not only boost bank and group’s reputation, raises the Bank and group’s market value and worth, boosts overall performance, increases market share as well as revenue and profitability. These benefits have the capacity to outweigh the few challenges encountered during the study.