In the past, activities of business were motivated exclusively by the desire to maximize their financial returns and the aim of corporate reports was to provide information about the cash flow, financial position and financial performance of an entity. However, over the past decade, increased awareness of developing accounting-style metrics for nonfinancial business influences has led companies from being profit-driven to taking the triple bottom line approach of incorporating economic, environmental and social values into corporate measures of success. Sustainable enterprises should have honest and full accounting of the impact of its actions and start with a vision that goes beyond producing profits for investors to creating social, economic and cultural value for a wider community of stakeholders. The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) has published guidelines for sustainability reporting (entitled 'Sustainability Reporting Guidelines') and is seen as the leading standard for voluntary corporate reporting of environmental and social performance by companies and other organizations worldwide. The Sustainability Reporting Guidelines includes Reporting Principles, Standard Disclosures and an Implementation Manual for the preparation of sustainability reports. Given the significance of the financial-services industry in South Africa, this dissertation reflects on the quality of integrated reporting of the financial-services industry by determining the extent to which sustainability reports of financial companies adhere to the GRI Guidelines and the Sector Supplements for Financial Services. An applied, quantitative and descriptive methodology was used to answer the research questions. Using a sample of 10 of the financial-services companies included in the JSE Top 40 companies, the results show that these companies use the GRI Guidelines in producing their sustainability report and that adherence improves annually. Some companies, however, do not apply the Sector Supplements which were designed to include industry-specific influences. / MCom (Management Accountancy), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Non-government organisations (NGOs) are special kinds of organisation which focus on serving the common good in society. Historically they have helped the needy, disadvantaged and vulnerable people and communities. The view that society had of NGOs has changed: they are no longer seen as charity and welfare organisations but as valuable partners in the context of sustainable development. Although many different non-profit organisations exist, all strive towards development, betterment and upliftment. These organisations are dependent on funding, yet need to be sustainable, which creates the challenge of obtaining funding in order to render services. This research explored the current funding context, using Bramley’s Children’s Home as a case study, in order to identify the challenges experienced by NGOs in obtaining adequate funding. It also investigated the perceptions of management regarding the impact of these challenges on the sustainability of the organisation. The research findings indicate that funding is seen as a common dilemma in this sector, and that there is a lack of sufficient long-term investment from donors. The effect is that NGOs struggle to implement much-needed services and therefore improving services in order to address the constantly changing needs of people remains a challenge. Emphasis has been placed on the importance of collaboration between the NGO sector, the business sector and government. By establishing partnerships each sector can benefit when contributing to sustainable development and can possibly also address the challenge of funding within NGOs. This research strives to showcase the important role of NGOs within the context of sustainable development, with specific reference to Bramley Children’s Home in addressing the social problem of caring for and protecting vulnerable children. / Master of Development and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Environmental issues are an increasing concern for various stakeholders in the mining industry. To address these concerns, managements of mining companies should embrace sustainable mining practices in their daily decision making processes. Internal decision making processes are strongly dependent on the quality of data included in reports used by management. Currently environmental issues are only considered as a separate item which is attached to the annual financial statements. No link is made between the environmental performance of the mine and the economic performance that is achieved. To achieve greater acknowledgement by management of the importance of controlling environmental costs on a daily basis, environmental costs need to be identifiable in internal management reports, including management accounting reports. Various methods are available with which the value of environmental inputs and outputs can accurately be determined. If these values are correctly integrated into information systems, reporting these environmental costs will be possible, allowing a mining company to consider triple-bottom-line reporting. The goal of this study is to assist mining companies, specifically platinum mining, in measuring and reporting on environmental costs by setting up a framework. This framework will be formulated by means of conducting a thorough study of the recent and current literature pertaining to the measurement methods of environmental costs upon which a comparison will be drawn between this theory and the actual measurement and reporting of environmental costs by means of case study research. A gap analysis has identified the problems that platinum mines are experiencing, and consequently, the framework created will assist platinum mines in introducing the reporting of environmental costs. A case study on a platinum mine was done in order to evaluate the current measurement methods and reporting on environmental costs. The collected data was analysed through explanation building and an organisational-level logic model was developed in order to understand the reasons that costs are recorded and reported on by using the method currently applied in the case study principal. This organisational-level logic model will assist in identifying problems within the current costing method in relation to environmental cost measurement and reporting. The findings identified by the case study were compared to the theory underlying environmental management accounting after which a gap analysis identified the problems that platinum mines experience. Based on the findings of the gap analysis, a framework was developed to assist platinum mines in closing the gap that has been identified. The framework, if applied within an organisation will assist mining companies in expanding their current reporting on environmental issues to an in-depth review of environmental impacts which can be linked to the achievement of economic performance. This will allow a step forward in triplebottom- line reporting as the value of environmental costs has been identified as the missing link in current financial reports. The framework could not be tested as the application of the framework requires a procedural change within the organisation which needs to be approved at top management level. This limitation does, however, open the possibility for a follow up study. Additional reporting on environmental costs will help management in adding value and quality to daily and overall decision making processes. This hypothesis can be tested in possible future studies which involve multiple-case studies and which will extend the framework to include a decision making matrix. / MCom (Management Accountancy), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Corporate Social Responsibility (“CSR”) as a business approach and corporate strategy has recently been added to the agenda of big and small businesses. The Johannesburg Stock Exchange Limited (“JSE”) requires of listed companies to disclose in their annual financial statements whether they have complied with King III (2009) or to explain as to why they have not. King III (2009) lays down the principle that a company is not only a profit making institution, but should also be a responsible citizen of the country. Companies are therefore moving toward becoming corporate citizens. Corporate citizenship is about integrating corporate responsibility into core business strategies, while at the same time adding value to shareholders and stakeholders. These corporate citizens are expending more and more money on their CSR objectives in the form of CSR expenditure. The purpose of this research study is to provide an analysis of the factors that influence the South African value-added tax (“VAT”) treatment of CSR expenditure. In general, the principles in the Warner Lambert (2003) case can be applied to such expenditure under the Value-Added Tax Act (89 of 1991) (“VAT Act”), in the sense that the expense being incurred for income tax purposes in the production of income will normally also be incurred “in the course or furtherance of an enterprise” for VAT purposes. The methodology used to meet the set objectives was that of legal interpretative research, specifically doctrinal. It was used to identify how the income tax and VAT legislation is applied on overhead expenditure, specifically CSR expenditure. The principles in the South African VAT legislation, specifically relating to the input tax deduction, were compared to the international VAT system to determine whether principles are similar and foreign judgements therefore reliable. A critical analysis was thereafter performed on South African and international case law, specifically European Court Judgements (“ECJ”) judgements, relating to the deductibility of input tax. The findings are that CSR expenditure may be seen as an overhead cost to a business and furthermore as a tool with which financial benefits can be created for a company if utilised correctly. It was determined that the factors that influence the South African VAT treatment of CSR expenditure were whether a supply made for no consideration, specifically CSR expenditure, was made in the course or furtherance of an enterprise and whether the CSR expenditure incurred could be proven to have a direct or immediate link to the making of taxable supplies in the course or furtherance of the vendor’s enterprise. / MCom (South African and International Taxation), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Business is arguably the most powerful institution of our society and ever since the publication of the second King Report on Corporate Governance for South Africa (King II) in 2002, South African corporate companies have sharpened their focus on their commitment to the “Triple Bottom Line”, an expanded baseline for measuring a company’s performance which includes, in addition to the traditional financial yardstick, accounting of the impact of their activities on society and the environment. It is impossible for organisations to ignore the impact of social, ethical and environmental issues on their business. This research provides an overview of Corporate Social Investment initiatives in South Africa towards developing education. There is a demand for corporate companies to comply with both the King Report on Corporate Governance as well as Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment. Considering the poor state of education, both Government and the private sector are contributing financially to improve the socio-economic conditions of the country, specifically the state of education. Government’s contribution to public education remains its single largest investment, because it is the key to reducing poverty and accelerating long-term economic growth. However, very little impact can be measured as conditions are still very poor and problems still persist. There is no integrated, sustainable focused approach which can be effectively measured and evaluated. The purpose of this research is to investigate initiatives toward the development of education, the focus and the magnitude and effects of initiatives. Thereafter a more synergetic and integrated plan is presented and recommended to the corporate sector to assist in developing education. / MCom (Business Management), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

The focus of marketing for modern companies who have a high profile and who are constantly in public view has shifted from traditional marketing to one of having and enhancing relationships with stakeholders, including their employees. As stakeholders’ perceptions of a company are important, it has become necessary for such a company to determine which factors influence the stakeholders’ relationship with the company and ultimately influences their perceptions. Companies are being held accountable by their stakeholders for all that is said and done and are expected to include responsibility to society and the environment as a core part of company strategy. Given that corporate branding plays such an important role in the formation of perceptions of employees, companies should present themselves in such a way that stakeholders (including employees) are able to understand the company values, involvement and direction. As such employees’ perceptions regarding the company’s CSR and corporate brand can largely influence their relationship with the company. The Solidarity Movement is a company with a rich history within the mine workers union and trade union sectors, operating in extremely diverse environments, with stakeholders having various expectations of the company. The company was recently restructured with various companies merging under the Solidarity Movement corporate brand. Solidarity Helping Hand forms part of the Solidarity Movement and fulfils the company’s CSR in the community. Diverse studies on CSR and corporate branding have been done. To date, no examples of research of the possible influence of CSR on corporate branding within the trade union sector could be traced. Against this background, the following research question is asked: What is the relationship between employees’ perceptions of the Solidarity Movement’s CSR project, Helping Hand, and their perceptions of the Solidarity Movement’s corporate brand? A quantitative questionnaire was applied as data collection method. The results confirmed that employees perceived the Solidarity Movement’s corporate brand and CSR in a positive light and felt that they could identify with the company’s CSR and that they contributed to the corporate brand of the company. With regard to the correlation between CSR and corporate branding, this study indicated a relationship between employee’s perceptions of the company’s CSR projects and their perceptions of the corporate brand. The fact that employees could identify with the company’s CSR and its focus, viewed Solidarity Helping Hand as aligned with the business strategy of the Solidarity Movement and felt that this resulted in them wanting to have a long-term relationship with the company impacted most on perceptions of the corporate brand. / MA (Communication Studies), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Summary in English and Afrikaans / CSR has become a priority for many key businesses, particularly in light of codes of practice such as the 2009, The King Report on Corporate Governance for South Africa 2009 (often referred to as King III Report). Effective CSR is dependent on efficient communication between and with stakeholders and businesses, yet the quality of these communications is seldom evaluated. While the literature emphasises the importance of stakeholder engagement, little attention is given to the communication processes used during stakeholder engagement. This study asserts that Integrated Communication (IC) offers a multi-pronged approach for engaging with an organisations’ diverse stakeholders and, when incorporated holistically, aligns CSR throughout an organisation. This study uses a framework drawn from IC theory as a means of analysing the efficiency of stakeholder engagement within Anglo American South Africa (AASA), a company explicitly dedicated to CSR. A single embedded case study research design is employed, including a review of main CSR documents used by AASA, interviews with key communications staff, as well as a focus group on site with key staff members. The research revealed that although AASA is in many ways doing a laudable job in terms of stakeholder engagement, there are key points at which their efforts break down. This is due, in most part; firstly to a lack of integrated awareness throughout the broader business of what constitutes its stated CSR agenda; and secondly to a lack of executive power within the communications department of the business. It is suggested that by following the proposed IC framework, and investing key communications personnel with executive power rather than merely supportive responsibility, the effectiveness of AASA’s stakeholder engagement would be improved. This would improve the likelihood of an effective strategic CSR’s success, and be of value to the organisation. / Korporatiewe Maatskaplike Verantwoordelikheid (KMV) het 'n prioriteit geword vir baie belangrike besighede, veral in die lig van gedragskodes soos die 2009 derde King verslag oor korporatiewe bestuur. Effektiewe KMV is afhanklik van doeltreffende kommunikasie tussen en met belanghebbendes en besighede, maar die gehalte van hierdie kommunikasie is selde geëvalueer. Terwyl die literatuur beklemtoon die belangrikheid van die betrokkenheid van belanghebbendes, is min aandag gegee aan die kommunikasie- prosesse wat gebruik word tydens die betrokkenheid van belanghebbendes. Hierdie studie voer aan dat Geïntegreerde Kommunikasie (GK) 'n multi-ledige benadering bied vir die aangaan met organisasies se diverse belanghebbendes en, wanneer holisties opgeneem, lyn 'n organisasie deurgaans in met KMV. Hierdie studie maak gebruik van 'n raamwerk wat uit GK teorie as 'n middel van die ontleding van die doeltreffendheid wat met belanghebbendes binne Anglo American Suid-Afrika (AASA) uitvloei, 'n maatskappy uitdruklik gewy aan KMV. 'n Enkele navorste gevallestudie is gebruik, insluitend 'n oorsig van die belangrikste KMV dokumente, onderhoude met sleutel kommunikasie personeel sowel as 'n fokusgroep met belangrike personeel op die terrein. Die navorsing toon dat alhoewel AASA is in baie maniere om 'n lofwaardige werk in terme van die betrokkenheid van belanghebbendes handhaaf, is daar belangrike punte waarop hul pogings kort kom. Dit is te danke oorsaaklik; eerstens 'n gebrek aan geïntegreerde bewustheid regdeur die breër organisasie wat sy verklaarde KMV agenda uitmaak, en tweedens 'n gebrek van die uitvoerende gesag in die kommunikasie-afdeling van die besigheid. Daar word voorgestel dat die voorgestelde GK raamwerk kruis organisatoriese bewustheid van AASA se KMV agenda sou bevorder, en die organisasie dwing om belangrike kommunikasie personeel te belê met uitvoerende gesag eerder as bloot ondersteunende verantwoordelikheid. Dit sal op sy beurt die doeltreffendheid van AASA se betrokkenheid verseker. Die waarskynlikheid van strategiese KMV se sukses te verbeter, en van waarde wees vir die organisasie as geheel. / Communication Science / M.A. (Communication)

This article contributes to a thriving line of research that examines issue interpretation and social accounts in order to study the adoption and diffusion of organizational concepts and management practices. It employs the empirical example of the rise of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in Austria between 1990 and 2005 to investigate the complex role institutional pressures and social positions of actors play in the local adoption of globally theorized ideas. More specifically, the study reveals distinct patterns in rhetorical CSR adoption that illustrate the initial hesitation and reluctance of an established elite in the Austrian business community towards the Anglo-American notion of 'explicit' CSR, while non-elite actors who were less favourably positioned in the social order readily embraced the concept. It is in such a sense that CSR is nevertheless instrumentalized to challenge, reinterpret, or explicitly evoke the autochthonous idea of institutionalized social solidarity. Conceptually, this research takes into account social structure, actors' positions in the social order, and resulting divergent adoption motivations - i.e. the individual, yet socially derived, relevance systems of actors - and relates them to mechanisms and processes of institutional change. (author's abstract)

Studiens syfte var att undersöka huruvida ”Corporate Social Responsibility” (CSR) påverkar de anställdas organisatoriska engagemang och ”Organizational Citizenship Behavior” (OCB) positivt samt huruvida CSR-aktiviteterna minskar de anställdas vilja att säga upp sig. Forskningsstrategin har utgått ifrån en deduktiv ansats och grundades i en kvantitativ design där en webbaserad enkätstudie skickades ut till de anställda på ett medelstort kooperativt företag inom fastighetsbranschen under april 2016. Ett klusterurval genomfördes vilket genererade 62 enkätsvar med en svarsfrekvens på 36%. För att säkerställa mätinstrumentets reliabilitet användes Cronbachs alfa reliabilitetskoefficient där samtliga värden låg mellan α=0,81 och α=0,89. Pearsons korrelationsanalys och flera stegvisa regressionsanalyser utfördes för att analysera data. En signifikansnivå på p=0,05 tillämpades och studiens resultat visade att CSR predicerar de anställdas organisatoriska engagemang (p <0,001) och OCB (p <0,001). Slutsatsen av resultatet indikerade på att företagets CSR-arbete är relevant och har en positiv påverkan på de anställdas attityder och beteenden.

Problem: Corporate social responsibility is said to result in strategic and reputational benefits, however, broadcasting it publicly has been proven to be a delicate matter. While stakeholders expect companies to engage in CSR, they do not appreciate if companies communicate their CSR-activities too loudly. Prior research instead suggests that communicating too extensively could cause skepticism from stakeholders. Purpose: This thesis is set to investigate how companies view and handle the challenge of communicating their good deeds, in the specific context of cross-sector collaborations, and how companies balance the need to increase awareness of their social engagements with the risk of inducing skepticism. Method: Primary data has been collected from semi-structured interviews within six case companies from different industries. Conclusion: Our results show that skepticism per se was not perceived as a problem – one reason could be that most companies chose to avoid communicating extensively. While all companies argued for the importance of doing rather than talking, controversial companies in particular expressed an aversion towards bragging about their collaborations. A difference between controversial and neutral industries could be seen in the way they valued communication. Having the right level of communication, demonstrating authenticity by linking cross-sector collaborations to company characteristics, together with the choice of partners and communicating “through” NPOs were seen as important aspects that could help companies to find the balance.