CORPORATE REPORTING OF CONTRIBUTION TO SOCIETY: COMPLIANCE TO THE SILVER BOOK BY MALAYSIAN GOVERNMENT LINKED COMPANIES

摘要

This study explores the extent and trend of corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting of government-linked companies (GLCs) based on the requirements of the Silver Book. The Silver Book is one of the ten initiatives in the Malaysian Government GLC Transformation Program (a key policy thrust to increase shareholder value via improved financial and operational results). It outlines the best practice regulatory framework on how GLCs can contribute responsibly to the society. Corporate reports of all 33 GLCs for 2005 to 2007 were examined using content analysis. The findings indicate that there was gradual improvement in the extent of CSR disclosure particularly in 2007 after the Silver Book was introduced. However, on the average the GLCs were still lagging behind in their CSR reporting. This study is the first to address the application of the Silver Book among GLCs in reporting their social responsibility initiatives. The study contributes to the CSR literature particularly in the context of government owned companies where government plays a significant role in assisting GLCs in achieving value through social responsibility. It also informs the government and the stakeholders about the extent of social contributions and initiatives undertaken by the GLCs and whether they were in line with the requirements of the Silver Book guidelines. This study suggests that the government should take more proactive actions to ensure that the GLCs , can effectively .comply with the requirements of the Silver Book.