Abstract
ABSTRACT
Purpose: Studies drawing from Laclau and Mouffe’s critical pragmatist, post-Marxist, political theorising, articulate how unusual alliances can facilitate emancipatory possibilities. Reflecting upon diverse/dynamic possibilities of the character of such alliances, we expand upon what we consider an unusual alliance between investors and NGO activist campaigners vis-à-vis accounting/transparency. We elaborate upon an undeveloped alliance, underachieving for progressive interests.(56)
Design/Methodology/Approach: We focus on EU accounting legislation, whereby, from 2016, large and/or listed extractives produce Reports on Payments to Governments (RPGs). Ostensibly an NGO win vis-à-vis transparency campaigns, this also provided information to investors. Maintaining a different identity, (enlightened) conventional investors seek information on wide-ranging risk, and thus RPGs. To illuminate the investor-activist alliance’s character: we analyse published feedback in consultations over RPGs, and in-depth interviews with nine investors/five NGO representatives; we explore whether/how conventional investors used/engaged with RPGs.(78)
Findings: Investors lacked awareness of RPGs’ usage in investment decisions but recognised their potential usefulness, perceiving similar weaknesses with RPGs as NGOs (lack of external assurance and direct reconciliation to annual accounts). Investors apparently applied little effort (despite NGO claims) to influence Chapter 10’s formation. They were interested in alliances with NGOs to extend/use corporate disclosures but lacked interest in coalescing with individual NGOs on particular laws. Thus, this unusual alliance’s character is illuminated as undeveloped.(75)
Originality/Value: The construct of unusual alliances as seen here is under-researched vis-à-vis theorising accounting/transparency. Exploring the significance of investor-NGO activist alliances around accounting/transparency informs analysis of accounting in action and is of value for praxis.(34)(Total:243words)
Keywords: NGOs, investors, alliance, disaggregation, resource curse, RPGs.
Paper type: Research.
Purpose: Studies drawing from Laclau and Mouffe’s critical pragmatist, post-Marxist, political theorising, articulate how unusual alliances can facilitate emancipatory possibilities. Reflecting upon diverse/dynamic possibilities of the character of such alliances, we expand upon what we consider an unusual alliance between investors and NGO activist campaigners vis-à-vis accounting/transparency. We elaborate upon an undeveloped alliance, underachieving for progressive interests.(56)
Design/Methodology/Approach: We focus on EU accounting legislation, whereby, from 2016, large and/or listed extractives produce Reports on Payments to Governments (RPGs). Ostensibly an NGO win vis-à-vis transparency campaigns, this also provided information to investors. Maintaining a different identity, (enlightened) conventional investors seek information on wide-ranging risk, and thus RPGs. To illuminate the investor-activist alliance’s character: we analyse published feedback in consultations over RPGs, and in-depth interviews with nine investors/five NGO representatives; we explore whether/how conventional investors used/engaged with RPGs.(78)
Findings: Investors lacked awareness of RPGs’ usage in investment decisions but recognised their potential usefulness, perceiving similar weaknesses with RPGs as NGOs (lack of external assurance and direct reconciliation to annual accounts). Investors apparently applied little effort (despite NGO claims) to influence Chapter 10’s formation. They were interested in alliances with NGOs to extend/use corporate disclosures but lacked interest in coalescing with individual NGOs on particular laws. Thus, this unusual alliance’s character is illuminated as undeveloped.(75)
Originality/Value: The construct of unusual alliances as seen here is under-researched vis-à-vis theorising accounting/transparency. Exploring the significance of investor-NGO activist alliances around accounting/transparency informs analysis of accounting in action and is of value for praxis.(34)(Total:243words)
Keywords: NGOs, investors, alliance, disaggregation, resource curse, RPGs.
Paper type: Research.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Publication status | Published - 3 Jul 2024 |
| Event | 14th Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Accounting Conference 2024 - Royal Holloway, University of London, London, United Kingdom Duration: 3 Jul 2024 → 5 Jul 2024 Conference number: 14 https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/research-and-teaching/departments-and-schools/business-and-management/ipa-2024/ |
Conference
| Conference | 14th Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Accounting Conference 2024 |
|---|---|
| Abbreviated title | IPA Conference 2024 |
| Country/Territory | United Kingdom |
| City | London |
| Period | 3/07/24 → 5/07/24 |
| Internet address |