SUSTAINABILITY ACCOUNTING - HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES OF THE DISCIPLINE

Authors : Norbert Gyorgy GACSER, Karoly SZOKA

Pages : 1-4

Doi:10.17261/Pressacademia.2021.1475

View : 16 | Download : 9

Publication Date : 2021-12-31

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Purpose- The purpose of this study is two folded. In one hand it intends to provide an overview of the historical formation and development of the scientific field of sustainability accounting, starting from the history of it’s predecessor disciplines. To this end the history of accountancy is examined first, followed by the development of the idea of sustainability. Then the birth and advances of sustainability accounting are presented. The secondary goal of this research is to define the future perspectives of sustainability accounting, derived from it’s origins. Methodology- This study is a historical literature review, employing an interpretative and synthesising approach by a recombination of works done in the field. The possible sources of the research drawn into comparison are books, peer-reviewed journals, conference proceedings and papers, dissertations and thesises. The final selection put a high emphasis on peer-reviewed journals as evaluated sources. Findings- The analysis reveals, that accountancy and the idea of sustainability have a long history and clearly defined definitions, while sustainability accounting is yet to be demarcated from other scientifical fields. There is not one universally accepted definition of sustainability accounting to day, also it’s taxonomic placement and mandatory components are yet to be agreed on. Along with the absence of a uniform definition, opinions insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(and definitions); similarly concur on the three main factors of sustainability accounting, which are environmental, social and economical factors insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(see also as three bottom line, or TBL);. Besides, researches can be grouped in two main directions: a theoretical direction, emphasizing accountability, contribution to sustainability and steps leading to sustainability insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(strategic); and another, consisting mainly of applicable management tools insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(eg. measurements, information system, reporting);. Conclusion- Based upon the analyisis, there are similar characteristics in the various definitons of sustainability accounting, yet it is still an inhomogeneous, multi directional and constantly evolving field of research. Until today the most known standards were laid down with Gray’s Sustainability Accounting Principles insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(2002); and Lambertons sustainability accounting framework insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(2005);. We concluded to a definition of sustainability accounting as the following: Sustainability accounting is primarly a practice of measuring, analyzing and reporting on social and environmental impacts of companies, as well as on their economical sustainability, and secondarily It is also a set of principles and guidelines for the implementation of environmental awareness and social justice into the economical viewpoint. The lack of quicker development in sustainability accounting research for the last decade is likely a product of the crisis of 2009. Citing Gray “there is little or no prospect of widespread, systematic reporting by corporations without a major regulatory initiative” and to solve the crisis and to handle it’s consequences must have had a priority above all, which included sustainability problems. The latest steps taken by the EU will most likely promote development. Presumably, the combination between practical needs and the work of theoretical authors will eventually lead to the development of a more crystallized and widely accepted sustainability accounting discipline on the long run, as much as it happened in the history of accountancy, with the urging need for sustainability as the accelerator of the process.
Keywords : Sustainability, sustainability accounting, environmental accounting, corporate social responsibility