ORCID Profile
0000-0002-3924-6361
Current Organisations
University of South Australia School of Commerce
,
University of South Australia
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Publisher: Emerald
Date: 27-07-2021
DOI: 10.1108/MEDAR-11-2019-0609
Abstract: Within the board ersity literature, the issue of gender ersity has been extensively studied, however, limited research has examined whether gender ersity at board level has any influence on corporate social responsibility (CSR) decisions. This paper aims to fill this knowledge gap and shed light on whether, and how, gender ersity influences CSR related decisions. In total, 13 in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with board members of Australian companies to examine their perceptions of the effect of gender ersity. Although the findings show evidence that there is a general perception that gender ersity has the potential to influence board level decisions, this does not appear to translate to CSR decisions specifically. The results from the interviews identified that several issues and moderating factors interact with the gender-CSR relationship. The paper contributes significantly to the body of knowledge by going beyond the plethora of quantitative analyses. The results suggest that there is much work to be done to improve governance policy and mechanisms if boards are to see the potential for gender to have a positive impact on CSR decision-making. The study responds to calls for more research adopting qualitative studies, including interviews and case studies, to understand the complex interactions that take place during board decision-making. The findings provide useful insights for future research, practise and policymakers.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 19-09-2023
DOI: 10.1002/CSR.2617
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 02-03-2023
DOI: 10.1111/JAN.15600
Abstract: The number of adults living with two or more chronic conditions is increasing worldwide. Adults living with multimorbidity have complex physical, psychosocial and self‐management care needs. This study aimed to describe Australian nurses' experience of care provision for adults living with multimorbidity, their perceived education needs and future opportunities for nurses in the management of multimorbidity. Qualitative exploratory. Nurses providing care to adults living with multimorbidity in any setting were invited to take part in a semi‐structured interview in August 2020. Twenty‐four registered nurses took part in a semi‐structured telephone interview. Three main themes were developed: (1) The care of adults living with multimorbidity requires skilled collaborative and holistic care (2) nurses' practice in multimorbidity care is evolving and (3) nurses value education and training in multimorbidity care. Nurses recognize the challenge and the need for change in the system to support them to respond to the increasing demands they face. The complexity and prevalence of multimorbidity creates challenges for a healthcare system configured to treat in idual disease. Nurses are key in providing care for this population, but little is known about nurses' experiences and perceptions of their role. Nurses believe a person‐centred approach is important to address the complex needs of adults living with multimorbidity. Nurses described their role as evolving in response to the growing demand for quality care and believed inter‐professional approaches achieve the best outcomes for adults living with multimorbidity. The research has relevance for all healthcare providers seeking to provide effective care for adults living with multimorbidity. Understanding how best to equip and support the workforce to meet the issues and demands of managing the care of adults living with multimorbidity has the potential to improve patient outcomes. There was no patient or public contribution. The study only concerned the providers of the service.
Publisher: Emerald
Date: 04-2022
Abstract: There is a growing concern over the need for greater transparency of quality information by companies about modern slavery to contribute toward elimination of the practice. Hence, this paper aims to examine factors behind the quality of voluntary modern slavery disclosures and major sources of pressure on Australian company disclosures in a premodern slavery legislated environment. Content analysis and cross- sectional regression modeling are conducted to analyze factors determining the quality of voluntary modern slavery disclosures of the top 100 firms listed on the Australian Stock Exchange and their implications for institutional pressures. Results indicate that size, assurance by Big-4 firms and publication of stand-alone modern slavery statements are significant drivers of disclosure quality in the s le. Profitability, listing status and the degree of internationalization are found to be unrelated to the quality of voluntary modern slavery disclosures. Industry classification is significant but only partly supports the prediction, and further investigation is recommended. This paper provides a foundation for regulators and companies toward improving the quality of their modern slavery risk disclosures with a particular focus on prior experience, assurance and size. In practice, contrary to suggestions in the literature, results indicate that monetary penalties are unlikely to be an effective means for improving the quality of modern slavery disclosure. Results of the study provide evidence of poor quality of disclosures and the need for improvement, prior to introduction of modern slavery legislation in Australia in 2018. It also confirms that regulation to improve transparency, through the required publication of a modern slavery statement, is significant but not enough on its own to increase disclosure quality. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first research examining company level factors with an impact on voluntary modern slavery disclosure quality and the links to institutional pressures, prior to the introduction of the Commonwealth Modern Slavery Act 2018.
Publisher: Emerald
Date: 26-04-2019
DOI: 10.1108/AAAJ-11-2017-3242
Abstract: Given the impending introduction of legislation requiring large Australian listed companies to make supply chain disclosures about modern slavery, the paper aims to reveal current voluntary practice. The purpose of this paper is to provide a benchmark for assessing the current engagement of large companies with modern slavery in Australia. Institutional theory provides the foundation for assessing current voluntary practice in relation to modern slavery disclosures by large Australian listed companies. Content analysis is used to identify quantity and quality of modern slavery disclosures of the top 100 companies listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. The contents of annual and standalone reports available on websites, as well as other online disclosures, are examined using terms associated with modern slavery identified from the literature. Evidence gathered about modern slavery disclosures by ASX 100 companies shows information in annual and standalone reports reveal far less than other disclosures on company websites. Overall, the volume and quality of disclosures are low and, where made, narrative. A wide range of themes on modern slavery are disclosed with bribery and corruption and human rights issues dominant. Although currently in line with institutional theory, as there appear to be mimetic processes encouraging disclosure, results support the idea that legislation is needed to encourage further engagement. The paper provides a baseline of understanding about the volume and quality of modern slavery disclosures as a foundation for future research into the practices of Australian companies prior to the signalled introduction of legislation mandating reporting. It also identifies potential lines of research. The s le only examines large Australian listed companies which restricts generalisation from the results. This is the first academic research paper to examine quantity and quality of modern slavery disclosures of large Australian companies. Results add support for the introduction of legislation by government.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 17-03-2016
Publisher: Emerald
Date: 06-06-2016
DOI: 10.1108/MEDAR-08-2015-0052
Abstract: This paper aims to examine the relationship between corporate governance, in particular board ersity, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting among the top 150 listed companies in Australia over a three-year period. The quantitative analysis involving a longitudinal study is used where content analysis is undertaken to analyse the extent of CSR disclosures in annual reports. Regression analysis using panel data is used to analyse the potential association between CSR disclosure and five important board ersity measures, specifically independence, tenure, gender, multiple directorships and overall ersity measure. The results based on the regression analysis reveal that three of the board ersity attributes (gender, tenure and multiple directorships) and the overall ersity measure have the potential to influence CSR reporting. The relationship between independent/non-executive directors and CSR disclosure however is unclear. In addition, three of the control variables (firm size, industry and CEO duality) are found to have some influence on CSR disclosure, whereas board size and profitability are found to be insignificant. The results also indicate the existence of some possible interaction effects between gender and multiple directorships. The paper has implications for companies, for policymakers and for the professional development needs of board members. Australian companies should consider identifying board attributes that enhance CSR disclosures, as it has been shown in previous studies that CSR disclosure in Australia is low when compared to other developed countries. Moreover, given that there is such limited research linking board ersity and CSR disclosure, the results of this paper provide scope for further research. Moreover the paper contributes to the existing literature on board composition and CSR disclosure by extending the literature to board ersity and provides preliminary evidence of the influence of board ersity on CSR disclosure in Australia.
Publisher: Emerald
Date: 06-04-2012
DOI: 10.1108/14720701211214052
Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between environmental reporting and corporate governance attributes of companies in Australia. The paper adopts a quantitative analysis approach. It examines the 2008 annual reports of the largest 100 Australian firms listed on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) to determine the amount of environmental reporting – these data are compared with various corporate governance measures. Analysis found a significant positive relationship between the extent of environmental reporting and the proportions of independent and female directors on a board. The analysis did not, however, support a negative relationship between the extent of environmental reporting and institutional investors and board size as has been previously predicted, rather, it showed a positive relationship. This paper offers insights to both regulators and company strategists. Regulators such as the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX) could consider expanding its Corporate Governance Council guidelines to include consideration of the environment, which is increasingly considered to be an important aspect of corporate social responsibility, and one of the responsibilities of the board of directors. In addition, for companies which include a commitment to the environment in their mission and strategies, it suggests consideration of the impact of board structure and composition is important as both of these are shown to have a significant effect on the amount of environmental information disclosed by companies.
No related grants have been discovered for Kathyayini Rao.