Disclosure Practices Regarding Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of Some Listed Companies: Evidence from Chittagong Stock Exchange, Bangladesh

Abstract

CSR still relies on voluntary disclosure. This paper undertook a pragmatic investigation into the corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting practices of 60 companies listed in Chittagong Stock Exchange Limited in Bangladesh.. The study is based on secondary data from annual reports from CSE -A‖ category listed companies. The study found that companies in the Insurance and Pharmaceutical sectors' had a maximum 100% status in disclosing activities i.e. they disclosed at least one of the elements of CSR. The Textile & Clothing sectors' scores were the minimum (11.11%). The Banking sector was the second highest (92.30%) followed by Cement 66.66%. Though the Insurance companies' position was the highest, interestingly it only disclosed the -Human Resource‖ elements ignoring the other five elements. Another interesting finding was that energy related disclosures were ignored by all sectors except the Electrical & Energy sector. Therefore, companies, policy makers and government should emphasise that issue. Contribution/ Originality:The study investigated the process and intention of disclosure practices in CSR by top ranked companies listed on the CSE. The study found very positive attitudes regarding CSR disclosure where companies from Insurance and Pharmaceutical sector ranked first followed by Banking sector which may be a significant message for policy-makers.