Studentships
Business School
The Corporate Social Responsibility of Accounting Firms
Professor Angus Duff
angus.duff@uws.ac.uk
The project aims to investigate the corporate social responsibility (CSR) of UK accounting firms (firms). A gradual accumulation of literature considering CSR has emerged over the past four decades. CSR work is highly topical. An analysis of UK firms’ annual reviews identifies significant corporate social disclosure (CSD) actions, i.e., reporting of CSR activities. At the same time, CSR and related sustainability work provide business opportunities for accounting firms, in the provision of advisory work, transparency initiatives and assurance work.
The proposed research will identify the extent to which UK firms’ ‘put something back’. Specifically, it will identify the beneficiaries of these actions, the scale of CSR funding, and how CSR work is funded (e.g., partners’ profits, staff volunteering). An output of the proposed project will provide an analysis of firms’ social and environmental contribution, their motives for making this contribution, and stakeholders’ awareness and perceptions of these actions. The research will also critically assess their motives for undertaking these activities, and also assess the degree of importance stakeholder groups place on these interventions.
The successful student will learn how to undertake content analysis of corporate communications such as annual reviews, interview managers, and develop, and administer a survey, and analyse results.
The project is suitable for students with a background in accounting and finance, business or economics. Applicants from other disciplines with an interest in sustainability are also encouraged to apply.