Assurance of CSR and Sustainability Reports: Empirical Evidence from an Emerging Economy

Abstract

In tandem with the evolution of reporting, this paper highlights the extent to which the content of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability assurance reports in Malaysia addressed the key elements of the requirements of the ISAE3000 assurance standard. A content analysis of the assurance statements of eight (8) public-listed companies in Malaysia for the year 2010 revealed some areas of concern with regards to the assurance statements provided. The findings from the study revealed some variability in the assurance reports provided. However, in terms of the nature of work undertaken, the findings from the study revealed that Malaysian assurors performed well in all three validation processes; validation of data in the report, validation of data collection and in the validation of achievement targets. The findings also revealed that Malaysian assurance providers were engaging with the stakeholders during the assurance process.

Keywords: Assurance, Sustainability, Corporate Social Responsibility, Standard, Malaysia