Análise da transparência dos relatórios de sustentabilidade frente aos desafios sociais e ambientais

Abstract

Understanding the conceptual and practical logic of transparency is crucial for the various information users, given the complex characteristics of sustainability reporting. This thesis aims to analyze how different contexts and stakeholder groups can influence the transparency logic in the sustainability reports of mining multinationals. This understanding is especially important for regulators, policymakers, and academics, as they can contribute more effectively to the process of disseminating and promoting best practices in sustainability disclosure. To achieve this main objective, we defined seven specific objectives as stages in the development of this thesis. Initially, we identified the different concepts of transparency used by researchers, through their scientific productions related to sustainability reports. This initial stage was fundamental to understanding the logic of transparency as perceived by academics. It was expected that they would use and expect the same applicability of transparency in relation to financial reports, disregarding particularities. Next, we summarized the central concepts used by academics in scientific productions. Thirdly, through a conceptual exposition of the previous literature, we discussed the characteristics of transparency related to sustainability disclosures. To meet these three aforementioned specific objectives, we conducted a critical review of the literature from the last five years (2018 to 2022). Results indicate that academics do not share a common view of transparency. This finding is critical, as it reflects the existence of mistaken expectations in relation to sustainability reports. Based on these findings, a need arose to analyze the disclosure practices in different contexts of the same critical socio-environmental problem. We sought to identify whether the results previously identified come from the organizations' practices or whether they vary depending on the context in which the disclosure is made. Through a qualitative content analysis of sustainability reports from 2020 to 2022 of four multinational mining companies operating in Brazil and abroad, we compared and highlighted the differences and similarities in disclosures related to socio-environmental conflicts arising from mining. In addition, we identified potential drivers of sustainability reporting in each context analyzed. The results indicated different disclosure patterns, with more detailed disclosures in the headquarters country, even though the socio-environmental problem occurred in the subsidiary's country. Based on these results, article three investigated the pressures and groups that influence the sustainability disclosure of mining multinationals, considering a sample made up of global mining benchmarks. Using an eight-year data panel, we applied fixed effects regression model. The results showed that in the parent country, market and regulatory pressures can influence disclosures. These results provide evidence of potential problems and difficulties in the information standardization process, given the differing expectations of stakeholders and the natural limitation of transparency in sustainability reports.