The role of the auditor in evaluating disclosure and transparency in light of reporting on the sustainability standard (GRI308) for disclosure of environmental impacts
An analytical study of a sample of industrial companies listed on the Iraq Stock Exchange for the period (2016 – 2023)
A thesis submitted to the Council of the College of Administration and Economics at the University of Karbala as part of the requirements for obtaining a PhD in Accounting Sciences
Presented by
Marwa Mohamed Hussein
Under the supervision of Assistant ProfessorDr.
Asaad Munshed Mohamed
Abstract:
The study aims to identify the nature and role of the auditor in evaluating disclosure and transparency regarding environmental impacts in light of reporting on the sustainability standard (GRI308) and to benefit from the results of this study in order to come up with practical conclusions and provide the necessary recommendations to improve the performance of companies and enhance the role of the auditor by analyzing the content of financial reports and auditor reports for the industrial companies sampled in the research listed in the Iraq Stock Exchange and measuring the extent of their commitment to applying the indicators of the aforementioned standard, in addition to knowing the opinions of a group of auditors about their role in evaluating disclosure and transparency for industrial companies, which encourages the expansion of the application of the concept of disclosure and transparency in the economic environment, especially financial markets, with regard to the environmental dimension of sustainability and its significant impact on the company in particular and society in general. The sample included seventeen companies (Baghdad Soft Drinks Company, Modern Sewing Company, Baghdad Packaging Materials Manufacturing Company, Modern Chemical Industries Company, National Chemical and Plastic Industries Company, Al Hilal Industrial Company, Ready-Made Garments Production and General Trading Company, Carton and Supplies Manufacturing and Trading Company, Iraqi Engineering Works Company, National Metal Industries and Bicycles Company, National Home Furniture Manufacturing Company, Iraqi Dates Manufacturing and Marketing Company, Al Mansour Pharmaceutical Industries and Medical Supplies Company, Iraqi Carpets and Furnishings Company, Al Khazer Road Company for the Production and Trade of Construction Materials, Al Kindi Company for the Production of Vaccines and Veterinary Medicines, Fallujah for the Production of Construction Materials) based on the availability of data for a time series extending from 2016 to 2023. The study used a set of statistical methods to achieve its objectives, which were represented in analyzing the correlation, impact and interaction relationships of the study variables and testing hypotheses through the use of a set of statistical methods. In order to achieve the objectives of the study, main hypotheses were formulated and tested through The statistical program (SPSS), where the results of the analysis of the financial reports of the sample companies listed in the Iraq Stock Exchange showed that the percentages of those companies applying the GRI308 indicators are very low. The study reached a number of conclusions, the most important of which is that the role of the auditor is limited to evaluating the disclosure and transparency of the financial information of companies, which is a high priority when conducting the auditing process. The study concluded with a number of recommendations, the most prominent of which was the necessity of legislating laws and instructions by the competent authorities that oblige companies to apply the indicators of the GRI308 standard and to overcome difficulties in all aspects that hinder the application of sustainability standards in Iraq.
Key terms: Auditor, disclosure and transparency, standard (GRI308)
