Abstract
AbstractPurpose – The objective of this study is to provide insights into insiders’ perspectives on environmentalaccounting disclosures, which is relatively under-investigated. Based on insights from key managers, weprovide information on company decisions and practices related to the data disclosed in annual reports. Morespecifically, we explore how regulation guidance affects and shapes disclosure strategies.Design/methodology/approach – Drawing on the normativity framework, our research design involves amultiple-case study focusing on eight French listed firms in sensitive industries. We primarily build ourinvestigation on the analysis of annual reports. Semi-structured interviews with 20 key managers belonging tothese same firms provide interpretative explanations of the disclosed (and un-disclosed) figures.Findings – Our main findings show that the disclosure of environmental accounting information (EAI) is stillin its infancy. Weak definitions and poor guidance in regulations explain the limitations in disclosure andinduce interpretative strategies depending on the type of data to be disclosed in the companies’ annual reports.We document that separate logics drive environmental expenditure and environmental liability disclosures inmany respects.Practical implications – This study should be useful for regulators because environmental accountingstandards are currently subject to change and helpful for users because of the careful consideration ofdisclosures.Originality/value – Our research is timely and adds to the growing body of research on regulation. Wedocument how a common regulation may lead to interpretative strategies by different actors and networks ofactors, thereby contributing to shaping EAI norms.Keywords Environmental accounting information, Case study, Normativity, Grenelle 2 law,Disclosure strategiesPaper type Case study