Title: An analysis of the role of risk management in sustainability reporting - a case study of 27 European manufacturing companies

Authors: Alireza Amirmostofian; Markku Reunanen; Teuvo Uusitalo

Addresses: VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Tekniikankatu 1, P.O. Box 1300, FI-33101 Tampere, Finland ' VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Tekniikankatu 1, P.O. Box 1300, FI-33101 Tampere, Finland ' VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Tekniikankatu 1, P.O. Box 1300, FI-33101 Tampere, Finland

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to analyse the role of risk management in sustainability reporting. Analysis was based on content analysis of sustainability reports of the 27 European manufacturing companies considered as a case in this study. The findings indicate that the GRI performance indicators were 1,323 times reported. The most frequently used economic, environmental and social indicators were identified. The reported risk management processes of the manufacturing companies were compared with that of ISO 31000 to analyse the companies' risk management approaches. This study shows that risk management already has a role in sustainability performance reporting, although more holistic coverage of different risk categories would be possible. The results are anticipated to be useful for manufacturing companies in improving sustainability reporting through risk management, while also valuable for further academic research on risk management and sustainability reporting.

Keywords: sustainable manufacturing; GRI performance indicators; Global Reporting Initiatives; manufacturing industry; Europe; risk management; sustainability reporting; ISO 31000.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSM.2014.062493

International Journal of Sustainable Manufacturing, 2014 Vol.3 No.2, pp.116 - 142

Published online: 26 Jul 2014 *

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