Małgorzata Macuda

Purpose: The purpose of the paper is to investigate whether Polish issuers applied the double materiality principle when preparing their reports before implementation of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) became mandatory, and if so, whether they disclosed the double materiality assessment process and at what level. Methodology/approach: The research sample consists of the 30 largest Polish companies listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange (WIG30 Index). The qualitative content analysis and document analysis of their ESG/CSR/sustainable/non-financial reports for the year 2023 were applied. Findings: Seven companies (23%) already conducted double materiality assessment in accordance with the new EU regulations. Of this group, only one company made full required disclosures, which in the case of the planned preparation of an ESG report in the digital ESEF format would also allow it to perform full tagging with the ESRS XBRL taxonomy. The remaining six companies included four out of the eight mandatory aspects in their double materiality assessment process, as specified in ESRS 2. Three companies (10%) indicated that they had started the double materiality assessment process and described what was done in 2023 and what is planned for the next year. The majority (20 companies; 67%) continued their existing approach to materiality in accordance with the Non-Financial Reporting Directive (NFRD). Research limitations/implications: The research sample was limited to the 30 largest companies listed on the regulated market in one country. Originality/value: The study contributes to the growing literature on the double materiality approach as the basis for sustainability disclosures by offering empirical insights into how Polish listed companies actually apply the double materiality principle in sustainability reporting. The analysed companies were categorised into four groups: Early birds, Seekers, Claimers, and Deadline-driven adopters. Within the first group, differences in the level of double materiality disclosures were noticed and a leading company was identified. Its disclosures were assessed in the context of the planned ESRS XBRL taxonomy.

Purpose: The paper presents the practices of voluntary assurance on sustainability information disclosure in European companies before the implementation of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). It attempts to determine the factors that influence decisions related to verifying independent reports. Methodology/approach: The research sample comprises 576 European companies whose sustainability reports, prepared according to the GRI guidelines, were available from the GRI Sustainability Disclosure Database. Logit regression was used to determine factors that influence companies' decisions on voluntary assurance. Findings: There is a statistically significant positive relationship between a company's decision to pursue voluntary assurance on sustainability reporting and (1) company-specific characteristics, (2) previous experience with sustainability reporting, (3) selected sustainability reporting practices (e.g., reporting on Sustainable Development Goals) and (4) country-specific factors (e.g., the strength of auditing standards in the company's operating environment). Research limitations/implications: In light of CSRD requirements, which introduced mandatory limited assurance from 2024, transitioning to reasonable assurance over time, the study provides valuable insights into the extent to which companies use assurance services. These findings may be useful for practitioners and standards setters. Originality/value: The paper adds to the understanding of the choices made by individual companies regarding the assurance of sustainability information disclosure. The study considers different influencing factors and examines a time horizon that precedes the implementation of mandatory assurance.

L’objectif – Le but de l’article est d'identifier les publications concernant ChatGPT dans le domaine de la comptabilité publiées depuis le lancement de ChatGPT jusqu’à présent (mai 2024) afin d'avoir une image approximative de la popularité du concept en tant que sujets d'études de recherche. L’analyse des domaines de recherches, ainsi que des applications potentielles et les défis d’utilisantion de ChatGPT en comptabilité suit la revue de la littétature. Conception/méthodologie/approche – Une analyse du contenu des bases de données Scopus et Web of Science Scholar a démontré un intérêt croissant parmi les cherchers scientifiques pour IA et ChatGPT, notamment depuis le lancement de la version ChatGPT 3.5 le 30 novembre 2022. 16 articles publiés en 2023 et 2024 liés à l’utilisation de ChatGPT en comptabilité ont été examinés. Une méthodologie de recherche descriptive, comprenant une revue de la littérature, a été appliquée afin d’atteindre l’objectif déclaré. Résultats – Six articles sont des études empiriques pendant que les autres dix constituent les recherches théoretiques. Les résultats indiquent (1) la tendance croissante parmi les académiciens quant à la recherche des possibilités de l’utilisation de ChatGPT dans l’éducation de la comptabilité dans le domaine de la comptabilité ; (2) un grand intêret parmis les practiciens lié à l’application des nouvelles technologies d’AI ainsi dans la comptabilité financière et l’audit (au sein des cabinets comptables), dans le reporting ESG que dans la comptabilité de gestion. Originalité/valeur – L’article contribue à la littérature croissante concernant l’utilisation de ChatGPT en comptabilité, constituant une synthèse de tout ce qui a été publié dans Scopus et Web of Sciences sur ce sujet.

The concept of creating company value is constantly evolving due to globalization, changing business realities, and the widely expanded idea of corporate social responsibility (CSR). The purpose of the chapter is three-fold. Firstly, it describes CSR involvement and CSR reporting practices in emerging countries. Secondly, it presents different theories related to value creation. Thirdly, it investigates CSR value creation measurement and disclosure in emerging economies (Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Egypt, India, Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, Peru, Russia, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, and Vietnam). The authors conducted content analysis of all publications concerning CSR issues and value creation in emerging countries over the years 1984-2019 included in Scopus database. Among publications over the years 2014-2019, several concerned strictly CSR implications to value creation in emerging economies.

The concept of creating company value is constantly evolving due to globalization, changing business realities, and the widely expanded idea of corporate social responsibility (CSR). The purpose of the chapter is three-fold. Firstly, it describes CSR involvement and CSR reporting practices in emerging countries. Secondly, it presents different theories related to value creation. Thirdly, it investigates CSR value creation measurement and disclosure in emerging economies (Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Egypt, India, Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, Peru, Russia, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, and Vietnam). The authors conducted content analysis of all publications concerning CSR issues and value creation in emerging countries over the years 1984-2019 included in Scopus database. Among publications over the years 2014-2019, several concerned strictly CSR implications to value creation in emerging economies.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the extent and trend of corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting in commercial banks in Poland and examine the link between corporate governance characteristics, namely size of the bank, ownership, boards size, board diversity and CSR disclosures in the banks. Design/methodology/approach: The annual reports and CSR reports of the banks were examined between 2008 and 2015 using content analysis and panel data analysis. Findings: The results indicate that banks improved their CSR reporting practices during examined period. There are statistically significant differences in the level of CSR disclosures between banks with a different ownership structure. Both foreign majority shareholder group as well as state majority shareholder group have a positive influence on CSR as compared with Polish majority shareholder (PMS) group (excluding State). Moreover, being listed on stock exchange has a positive influence on CSR as compared with not being listed. Further, the results also revealed that there is a significant positive effect of almost all variables related to the management board, namely, size, female board leadership and foreign board members on CSR disclosure, whereas all supervisory board variables and all considered ownership variables have no statistically significant impact on CSR disclosure. Originality/value: This research contributes to the existing literature because the banking sector is often excluded from CSR studies due to its specific legal regulations and seemingly little environmental impact. Moreover, there are only few studies analysing the effect of boards characteristics on the banks CSR disclosure, especially in emerging countries. This study is also the first of this kind focusing on the two-tier system. Furthermore, the study provides the instrument to measure CSR in the banking industry. Finally, the research stresses the crucial implications for banking sector, shareholders and regulatory bodies.

Streszczenie: Sprawozdanie finansowe jest najważniejszym źródłem informacji o kondycji finansowej jednostki. Może być ono również przydane dla interesariuszy restrukturyzowanych szpitali. Celem artykułu była analiza i ocena praktyk związanych z wykorzystaniem informacyjnej roli sprawozdań finansowych w procesach restrukturyzacyjnych jednostek sektora opieki zdrowotnej. Na metodę badawczą złożyły się studia literaturowe, analizy przypadków-powszechnie dostępnych (on-line) planów restrukturyzacji szpitali oraz wnioskowanie logiczne. W wyniku przeprowadzonych badań stwierdzono, iż zauważalne jest zróżnicowane podejście do udostępniania informacji finansowych w planach restrukturyzacji szpitali. Badane jednostki chętniej udostępniają obliczone wskaźniki finansowe oraz sprawozdania finansowe prognozowane dla okresów przyszłych niż sporządzone na podstawie danych historycznych.

The aim of this article is to assess the cost accounting solutions that are used currently in Polish hospitals. The evaluation covered three main areas that require cost data—management, external reporting and pricing of health services (performed by a regulatory body). The study concerned the costing model that was obligatory for Polish public hospitals in the years 1998–2011 (top-down micro-costing model) and has not yet been replaced by another solution. Different research methods have been used for each of the areas under research, inter alia surveys, direct interviews and case study methods. Empirical results indicate a limited usefulness of the researched costing model in all of the evaluated areas: management, financial reporting and pricing. First, the costing model is used moderately only for the most important management areas, such as planning, control and operational decision making. Second, it does not include the specifics of diagnosis-related groups (DRGs) (basic pricing object) and therefore does not allow for accurate determination of their costs. Third, due to lack of the complex costing methodology the model is used in an unstructured and incoherent manner.