STRENGTHENING SUSTAINABILITY REPORTING THROUGH DIGITAL INNOVATION AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF CORPORATE ACCOUNTING CULTURE
Keywords:
Accounting Culture, Digital Innovation, Governance Sustainability, Organizational Transparency, Sustainability ReportingAbstract
This study explores the role of digital innovation and corporate accounting culture in strengthening sustainability reporting within modern organizations. The study focuses on how digital transformation, sustainability-oriented accounting practices, and governance systems contribute to improving transparency, accountability, and organizational sustainability. An exploratory study using a qualitative literature review approach was conducted by examining international journal articles, books, conference proceedings, and institutional reports related to sustainability reporting, digital innovation, and corporate accounting culture published between 2015 and 2026. The collected literature was analyzed using content analysis techniques involving categorization, interpretation, comparison of findings, and thematic synthesis to identify conceptual relationships and research patterns. The findings reveal that digital innovation significantly improves sustainability reporting quality through enhanced transparency, integrated reporting systems, real-time data processing, and stronger stakeholder engagement. Organizations implementing digital technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and cloud-based reporting systems demonstrate better governance effectiveness and sustainability accountability. Drawing from the findings, the study proposes a conceptual perspective that sustainability reporting effectiveness depends on the integration of digital innovation and sustainability-oriented corporate accounting culture. Organizations capable of combining technological capability with ethical governance practices are more likely to strengthen sustainability reporting quality, stakeholder trust, and long-term organizational competitiveness.
Downloads
References
Adams, C. A., & Frost, G. R. (2008). Integrating sustainability reporting into management practices. Accounting Forum, 32(4), 288–302. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.accfor.2008.05.002
Adams, C. A., & Frost, G. R. (2008). Integrating sustainability reporting into management practices. Accounting Forum, 32(4), 288–302. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.accfor.2008.05.002
Alkaraan, F., Albitar, K., Hussainey, K., & Venkatesh, V. G. (2023). Corporate transformation toward Industry 4.0 and sustainability: The role of digital technologies. Journal of Business Research, 162, 113847. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2023.113847
Appio, F. P., Frattini, F., Petruzzelli, A. M., & Neirotti, P. (2021). Digital transformation and innovation management: A synthesis of existing research and an agenda for future studies. Journal of Product Innovation Management, 38(1), 4–20. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpim.12562
Arnaboldi, M., Busco, C., & Cuganesan, S. (2017). Accounting, accountability, social media and big data: Revolution or hype? Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, 30(4), 762–776. https://doi.org/10.1108/AAAJ-03-2017-2880
Bebbington, J., Unerman, J., & O’Dwyer, B. (2014). Sustainability accounting and accountability (2nd ed.). Routledge.
Bowen, G. A. (2009). Document analysis as a qualitative research method. Qualitative Research Journal, 9(2), 27–40. https://doi.org/10.3316/QRJ0902027
Caglio, A., & Ditillo, A. (2021). Reviewing interorganizational management accounting and control literature: A new look. Journal of Management Control, 32(1), 5–44. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00187-021-00313-9
Carnegie, G. D., Parker, L. D., & Tsahuridu, E. E. (2021). It’s 2020: What is accounting today? Australian Accounting Review, 31(1), 65–73. https://doi.org/10.1111/auar.12325
Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (5th ed.). Sage Publications.
Eccles, R. G., Ioannou, I., & Serafeim, G. (2014). The impact of corporate sustainability on organizational processes and performance. Management Science, 60(11), 2835–2857. https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2014.1984
Eccles, R. G., Ioannou, I., & Serafeim, G. (2014). The impact of corporate sustainability on organizational processes and performance. Management Science, 60(11), 2835–2857. https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2014.1984
García-Sánchez, I. M., Raimo, N., & Vitolla, F. (2021). Digitalization and sustainability reporting: The role of integrated thinking. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 28(6), 1910–1922. https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.2140
García-Sánchez, I. M., Raimo, N., & Vitolla, F. (2021). Digitalization and sustainability reporting: The role of integrated thinking. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 28(6), 1910–1922. https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.2140
George, G., Merrill, R. K., & Schillebeeckx, S. J. D. (2021). Digital sustainability and entrepreneurship: How digital innovations are helping tackle climate change and sustainable development. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 45(5), 999–1027. https://doi.org/10.1177/1042258721993885
Gray, R. (2010). Is accounting for sustainability actually accounting for sustainability…and how would we know? An exploration of narratives of organizations and the planet. Accounting, Organizations and Society, 35(1), 47–62. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aos.2009.04.006
Herzig, C., & Schaltegger, S. (2011). Corporate sustainability reporting. Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, 24(8), 151–169. https://doi.org/10.1108/09513571111184788
Herzig, C., & Schaltegger, S. (2011). Corporate sustainability reporting. Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, 24(8), 151–169. https://doi.org/10.1108/09513571111184788
Hopwood, A., Unerman, J., & Fries, J. (2010). Accounting for sustainability: Practical insights. Earthscan.
KPMG. (2022). Big shifts, small steps: Survey of sustainability reporting 2022. KPMG International.
Kraus, S., Jones, P., Kailer, N., Weinmann, A., Chaparro-Banegas, N., & Roig-Tierno, N. (2021). Digital transformation: An overview of the current state of the art of research. Sage Open, 11(3), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440211047576
Krippendorff, K. (2018). Content analysis: An introduction to its methodology (4th ed.). Sage Publications.
La Torre, M., Sabelfeld, S., Blomkvist, M., Tarquinio, L., & Dumay, J. (2020). Rebuilding trust: Sustainability and non-financial reporting and the European Union regulation. Meditari Accountancy Research, 28(5), 701–725. https://doi.org/10.1108/MEDAR-06-2020-0914
Lodhia, S., & Jacobs, K. (2013). The practice turn in environmental reporting: A study into current practices in two Australian commonwealth departments. Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, 26(4), 595–615. https://doi.org/10.1108/09513571311327471
Manita, R., Bruna, M. G., Dang, R., & Houanti, L. (2018). Board gender diversity and ESG disclosure: Evidence from the USA. Journal of Applied Accounting Research, 19(2), 206–224. https://doi.org/10.1108/JAAR-01-2017-0024
Michelon, G., Pilonato, S., & Ricceri, F. (2015). CSR reporting practices and the quality of disclosure: An empirical analysis. Critical Perspectives on Accounting, 33, 59–78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpa.2014.10.003
Milne, M. J., & Gray, R. (2013). W(h)ither ecology? The triple bottom line, the global reporting initiative, and corporate sustainability reporting. Journal of Business Ethics, 118(1), 13–29. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-012-1543-8
Moll, J., & Yigitbasioglu, O. (2019). The role of internet-related technologies in shaping the work of accountants: New directions for accounting research. The British Accounting Review, 51(6), 100833. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bar.2019.04.002
O’Dwyer, B., & Unerman, J. (2020). Shifting the focus of sustainability accounting from impacts to risks and dependencies: Researching the transformative potential of TCFD reporting. Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, 33(5), 1113–1141. https://doi.org/10.1108/AAAJ-02-2020-4445
Parker, L. D. (2020). The COVID-19 office in transition: Cost, efficiency and the social responsibility business case. Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, 33(8), 1943–1967. https://doi.org/10.1108/AAAJ-06-2020-4609
Pizzi, S., Corbo, L., & Caputo, A. (2021). Fintech and SMEs sustainable business models: Reflections and considerations for a circular economy. Journal of Cleaner Production, 281, 125217. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.125217
Rikhardsson, P., & Yigitbasioglu, O. (2018). Business intelligence & analytics in management accounting research: Status and future focus. International Journal of Accounting Information Systems, 29, 37–58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.accinf.2018.03.001
Schein, E. H. (2017). Organizational culture and leadership (5th ed.). Wiley.
Seele, P. (2017). Digitally unified reporting: How XBRL-based real-time transparency helps in combating corporate corruption. Journal of Business Ethics, 145(2), 255–268. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-015-2850-5
Snyder, H. (2019). Literature review as a research methodology: An overview and guidelines. Journal of Business Research, 104, 333–339. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.07.039
Suseno, B. D. (2022). Industrial revolution 4.0 as a strategic issue of higher education. International Journal of Scientific Research and Management, 10(2), 3045–3051. https://doi.org/10.18535/ijsrm/v10i2.em05
Suseno, B. D. (2023). Adaptive governance and sustainability strategy in educational institutions. International Journal of Professional Business Review, 8(6), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.26668/businessreview/2023.v8i6.1542
Suseno, B. D., & Yusuf, M. (2024). Digital transformation and governance adaptability in strengthening organizational sustainability. International Journal of Professional Business Review, 9(2), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.26668/businessreview/2024.v9i2.2150
Suseno, B. D., Rochani, S., & Yusuf, M. (2021). Collaborative governance and innovation strategy in improving institutional sustainability. Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business, 8(5), 421–430. https://doi.org/10.13106/jafeb.2021.vol8.no5.0421
Vial, G. (2019). Understanding digital transformation: A review and research agenda. Journal of Strategic Information Systems, 28(2), 118–144. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsis.2019.01.003
Vial, G. (2019). Understanding digital transformation: A review and research agenda. Journal of Strategic Information Systems, 28(2), 118–144. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsis.2019.01.003
Downloads
Published
Conference Proceedings Volume
Section
License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.






