Andrea Coulson

Accountability through activism: learning from Bourdieu

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to reflect on how the social-theoretical work of Pierre Bourdieu (1931-2001) could contribute to knowledge production on accountability. Design/methodology/approach - The paper draws on Bourdieus conceptualisation of social practice in terms of a field/habitus relation, and uses this relation as a framing mechanism to explore the possibilities of accountability in corporate-stakeholder relations. Findings - The authors argue that Bourdieus work holds significant implications for academics operating in the political space relating to accountability because it informs a basis for academic intervention. Research limitations/implications - Included in the paper are a critique of the dominant “liberal” position on accountability and a defence of the development of a “post-liberal” alternative. Practical implications - It is argued that this alternative requires moving away from the dominant procedural approach to practice and recognising the value of informal communication and non-institutional action as equally valid routes towards accountability. Originality/value - Reflecting on Bourdieus position reminds us of the explicit link between political and methodological change, and highlights the necessity for these to be inextricably linked.

Corporate environmental performance considerations within bank lending decisions

Over the last decade there have been signs that suggest financial institutions are considering the environmental impact of corporate borrowers as part of their investment decision. These developments mean that environmental considerations may now influence the level of financial support available for economic development and environmental management. This paper provides an overview of bank commitment to the environment and considers the potential implications of corporate environmental performance considerations within bank lending decisions. Research for the paper is based on a project currently being conducted as part of the UK Economic and Social Research Councils Global Environmental Change Programme. Central to the paper is a view on bank lending practice from Lloyds TSB Group plc. Copyright

Exploring metaphors of capitals and the framing of multiple capitals: Challenges and opportunities for

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the potential of the metaphor of capital, and to chart the development of the multiple capitals concept in the International Framework and consider how it might develop and be used. In doing so, the paper discusses the implications of the contributions to this special issue in the further development of the capitals concept. Design/methodology/approach – The authors draw on documents of the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC) and review the literature on capitals to consider the formation of the metaphor of multiple capitals. This is reflected upon while recognising the varied involvement of the authors with the IIRC capitals conception. The challenges of conceiving a multiple capitals framework are critiqued with reference to empirical and theoretical contributions drawn from recognition of planetary boundaries, gendered capitals, power and intersection of capitals and important practical and conceptual insights raised by papers in th...

KPMG's True Value methodology: a critique of economic reasoning on the value companies create and reduce for society

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to constructively critique KPMG’s “True Value methodology” which seeks to quantify in financial terms the value companies create or reduce for society. Design/methodology/approach This paper is based on a review of documents produced by KPMG detailing its methodology and corporate reports in the public domain of the True Value methodology applied in practice. The critique is divided into two sections. The first section reviews KPMGs methodological view of a bounded economic reality and offers potential starting points and limitations for a conceptual framing of the “methodology”. Practical insights on applying the methodology are offered in the second section. Findings The True Value methodology helps its producers understand the potential risk to future earnings posed by current externalities being internalised. KPMG’s socio-economic framing of future scenarios and financial valuation of environmental and social impacts is limited to a standardised commercial viewpoint. Potential opportunities exist for producers to involve stakeholders in the application of the methodology to form a more inclusive and pluralist conception of risk and values for social and environmental impacts. Practical implications This paper offers timely insights for companies using and considering the use of the “True Value” methodology and stakeholders considering their engagement in the application process and/or use of its findings. Originality/value The study is a constructive critique of this contemporary, financial practice of accounting for externalities developed by KMPG.

Sustainable banking and finance: people - the financial sector and the future of the planet

Marcel Jeucken has been heralded as the first to provide a comprehensive and accessible book on the subject of sustainable finance and banking. As a practitioner in Rabobank and a doctoral researcher at Erasmus University, Jeucken is able to draw on personal experience to provide an accessible yet intellectually challenging book. The stated target audience of the book is banking practitioners and policy makers followed by academics. For an academic audience it offers for debate both empirical insight and conceptual thoughts on shifts in the traditional economic foundations of banking. The book is set out in three parts. Each part and subsequent chapter is very well sign-posted. Part 1 (Sustainability: a general introduction) is likely to be of most interest to the Futures readership. It includes a comprehensive review of recent environmental policy developments and environmental consciousness as a basis for outlining Jeuckens vision of the future role of banks in pursuing sustainable (economic) development. In Part 2 (Banking and Sustainability) he illustrates examples of bank products and operations currently applied in pursuit of sustainable development as a basis for moving forward. Part 3 (In reflections) add to this insight with the results of a survey of sustainable banking drawn from public disclosures made by 34 international banks. The book ends with some thoughts on the future of banking. In this respect, the authors stated aim is not to provide definitive answers but to stimulate thinking and bridge the gap between philosophical and practical solutions. To this ambition he is true.

Rationalising the use of Twitter by official organisations during risk events : operationalising the social amplification of risk framework through causal loop diagrams

Communication of health risk events is a complex and challenging task. The advent of information and communication technology along with the following popularisation and widespread uptake of social media are reshaping the field of risk communication. Guided by key tenets of the Social Amplification of Risk Framework, this study developed a causal loop diagram, capturing the perceptions of professionals in health organisations regarding the role of Twitter during risk events. The aim of this paper is to explore the use of the causal loop diagram and its role with rationalising the use of Twitter in risk communication strategies. A key finding of the model is the central role of trust and its interrelationship with other factors during a risk event. A contribution is made to operational research through the novel use of soft system dynamics in risk communication, to risk communication through the investigation of the new medium Twitter and also to research on the Social Amplification of Risk Framework by providing a means through which to operationalise the framework.