Purpose

This paper aims to assess the disclosure of the materiality process in the preparation of sustainability reports of state-owned enterprises (SOEs). This paper also explores the effects of regulation mandating that SOEs prepare sustainability reports. In the specific case of port authorities, the study analyses the influence of a sector guideline that determines what should be included and the structure of the report. Another aim of this paper is to delve into SOE's motivations for disclosing information on materiality assessments, using the assumptions of the different theories to explain their reporting practices.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sample of SOEs sustainability reports, a content analysis is undertaken. The methodology involves the analysis of the information disclosed by SOEs in Spain and the development of a materiality disclosure index. This index enables sampled entities to be classified on a scale of 0–5, based on the extent of their disclosures of the materiality determination process. This study also identifies several variables that explain differences in these disclosures.

Findings

A low rate of information disclosed about the materiality process can be attributed to the desire of SOEs to create symbolic legitimacy. In a context where the disclosure of sustainability information is mandatory, only few organisations apply the principle of materiality to define the content of their sustainability reports. These results highlight that institutional isomorphism has only had a limited effect on the materiality process.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations associated with the sample size and composition of the sample by sector apply.

Practical implications

This research shows that generally accepted reporting guidelines constitute a reference framework for sustainability reporting but that the principles underpinning these frameworks are not always implemented.

Originality/value

This study extends the literature on the implementation of the principle of materiality and uses disclosure theories to explain the actual reporting by SOEs of their materiality process.

中文翻译：

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西班牙国有企业在可持续发展报告中的重要性过程披露

目的

本文旨在评估国有企业 (SOE) 编制可持续发展报告的重要性过程的披露。本文还探讨了监管要求国有企业编制可持续发展报告的影响。在港口当局的具体案例中，该研究分析了行业指南的影响，该指南决定了报告的内容和结构。本文的另一个目的是深入研究国有企业披露重要性评估信息的动机，使用不同理论的假设来解释其报告实践。

设计/方法/方法

使用国有企业可持续性报告的样本，进行了内容分析。该方法涉及分析西班牙国有企业披露的信息以及制定重要性披露指数。该指数使抽样实体能够根据其重要性确定过程的披露程度按 0-5 级进行分类。本研究还确定了几个解释这些披露差异的变量。

发现

关于重要性过程的信息披露率低可归因于国有企业希望创造象征性合法性。在强制披露可持续发展信息的背景下，只有少数组织应用重要性原则来定义其可持续发展报告的内容。这些结果强调制度同构对物质性过程的影响有限。

研究限制/影响

与按部门划分的样本大小和样本组成相关的限制适用。

实际影响

这项研究表明，普遍接受的报告指南构成了可持续发展报告的参考框架，但支持这些框架的原则并不总是得到实施。

原创性/价值

本研究扩展了关于实施重要性原则的文献，并使用披露理论来解释国有企业对其重要性过程的实际报告。