Corporate equal opportunities disclosure in Malaysia : an exploratory study
Loading...
Date
2008
Authors
Lim, Suet Ling
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Universiti Sains Malaysia
Abstract
Malaysia is now moving to the next level of Corporate Social Responsibility
(CSR) era where government placing many new rules and incentive to encourage
companies to get active in CSR. In addition, Bursa Malaysia introduced new
requirement for all public listed companies to report on their corporate responsibility
and programs. One of the CSR frameworks is workplace. Workplace area relate to
basic human right, a quality work environment and health and safety. The CSR
concept promotes equal opportunities (EO) in workplace. EO is concerned with the
achievement of fair treatment of group facing discrimination in the work place due to
race, gender, age, disability, etc. EO is not about securing equal rights but is a matter
central to national economic objectives and the need to make the most of all human
resources. Such practice will prevent waste of talent arising from unfavorable
treatment. EO and diversity are more of a business issue today. Fairness and
opportunity are important in optimizing productivity and competitive advantages.
Thus, using a sample of I 0 I companies from the Main Board and Second Board of
Bursa Malaysia in 2006, this study attempts to explore the corporate equal
opportunity disclosure and firm characteristics that contribute to the amount of EO
disclosures. The results of this study evidenced that firm size and profitability are
positively associated with the amount of EO disclosure. In addition, findings from the
study showed industry type determines the amount of EO disclosure in certain degree.
However, corporate age, internal goals, MD education qualification and working
experiences are found not related to the amount of EO disclosure.
Description
Keywords
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)