Analysis of non-financial information of BME companies: Gri social dimension

Treball Final de Grau en Finances i Comptabilitat. Codi: FC1049. Curs acadèmic: 2018/2019 In an increasingly interconnected global market and a higher necessity of non-financial information by stakeholders, understood as parties with direct or indirect interests in the performance and results of the company, has produced international organizations to create frameworks for action and define generally accepted principles. This principles are based in the frame of reference of Corporate Social Responsibility which identifies Economic, Environmental and Social impacts as the aspects with a high degree of relevance to mitigate and contribute positively with a more sustainable system. From that need arise sustainability reports which contain non-financial information and shows the involvement of companies in sustainability issues. An internationally recognized organization, the Global Reporting Initiative or GRI, has been growing in significance as a base to prepare sustainability reports. These principles are not mandatory, so companies, regardless their size, can decide to follow GRI Guidelines or any other recognized principles. Moreover, GRI principles has become a standard because of its relative easiness to implementation. The aim of this study is, first introduce the concept of sustainability and the social dimension established by the Global Reporting Initiative, the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility is addressed. The second objective is analyse the non-financial information disclosed in sustainability reports, specifically the social dimension, for Spanish companies which quoted in the capital market BME. The analysis will follow the methodology proposed by Parsa et al. (2018) to assess sustainability reports from the year 2016 where the fourth version of GRI Guidelines was still applicable. The evidence shows how Spanish companies do not report accurately information requirements and how some information is frequently omitted.