2. Literature review regarding institutional theory and social accounting

In choosing the theoretical framework as the basis of empirical research, institutionalist theory helps us to understand up to what point we may consider the process that, put into operation by the norm, induces a uniformity of behaviour in organisations, and therefore, in companies as well. Indeed, such an institutionalist theory takes the phenomenon of "isomorphism" [2] into consideration. On opposing sides, however, are authors who, together with such a phenomenon, have analysed companies which tend towards behaviours that are similar just in certain aspects.

Focus of institutionalist literature is inertia as well as the tendency to conform to behaviours that spread throughout organisations in order to adhere to the requests made by the economic, political, and environmental system wherein they operate.

## CSR Training and Financial Statement "Disclosure": The Case of Italy DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.86688

Indeed, those aspects that characterise the process of homogenisation of the organisations, from which institutionalisation derives, are called "mechanisms" by [4], whereas Scott [5] names them "structures". Such mechanisms can be grouped into three main areas, among which the first is labelled "coercive" and is relative to the pressures that prevalently come from politics, law and the market. They influence the behaviour that the organisations, therefore the companies as well, have to follow in order to survive. The second area regards those mechanisms defined as "normative", which have their origin in the strong influence of the professional networks, education and common values. The third area concerns the mechanisms defined as "mimetic". In this area, organisations emulate others that are considered best practices [4]. These mechanisms are respectively defined as regulative, normative and cognitive structures by Scott [5].

Catturi and Riccaboni [6], partially basing their theory on business administration [1, 7, 8], mainly focus on unwritten rules. The unwritten rules represent mechanisms/ structures to push organisational change. From this, it emerges that for each company, the standard indicators represent a starting point but, at the same time, a limited part of performance evaluation. Companies' performance evaluation is also better monitored through qualitative social and institutional-type features [6].

Lai [9] traces the evolution of business theory basing it on the explanation supporting Zappa's theory [7]. According to Lai [9], institutionalism theory firstly affirms itself as opposed to the individualistic behaviour logics of social phenomena interpretation. Moreover, the principal aspect of the institutionalist theory is that there are norms and rules which allow, by way of the institution, the resolution of conflicts and the promotion of civil life. The third important aspect to underscore regards a dimension internal to institutionalist theory, which is relative to the governance of the company. Alongside this final one is the context external dimension wherein the norms, usages and coordination allow its development, since they are able to direct development of organisational layouts ([9], pp. 66–67). The point of view of institutionalism considers the company as a collection of upper subsystems, segments and sub-segments, which develop relational behaviours representing bonds of interdependence to such an extent as to require a direct approach [9].

Otherwise in the literature, "engagement research" has been put forward as a strong approach in developing theories in order to understand SEAR/SER (Social and Environmental Accounting Research/Social, Environmental Reporting) and to enhance organisational practices and performances [10, 11, 33] as well as in order to explore diverse issues, including change within organisations and mediation pathways [12–15].

Furthermore, Larrinaga-González [3, 16, 17] has adopted the institutionalist [4, 5] and neo-institutionalist theories [18] as a theoretical framework to point out the adjustment or, at least, to explain the procedures of SER (social and environmental reporting) and to understand the drivers of institutional modification. So they have also released up new directions in institutional theory [3, 19].

Considering the presence of numerous organisational fields around the issue of SR (sustainability reporting) as a possible clarification, the question, that Larrinaga-González [15] emphasises, is whether there is a sole global organisational field rather than different local organisational grounds for SR. Reflecting on the variance of SR practices, he pointed out the presence of locally based SR fields (i.e.: Environmental Management and Audit Scheme; European Commission, 2001; Triple bottom line; Global Reporting Initiative; ISO 14001, UN SDGs, etc.).

Especially, outlining prior research that had been conducted in sustainability management and reporting using a neo-institutional lens, Larrinaga-González [16] uses the neo-institutional viewpoint to construct an institutional description of the expansion of SR and to ascertain the consequences of the institutionalisation of SR.

The subject of this work is to verify, through an analysis of financial statements

We may define corporate social responsibility as the awareness by the company

Our work considers CSR training courses that are a useful framework towards

Therefore, the research question is thus: "How much did the training courses on

The research design is based upon use of institutionalist theory [2] and particularly upon part of the same which was declined in terms of sustainable development

Another reason is that in the Rimini territory, 13 years ago, CSR training courses had been stimulated for for-profit enterprises by the Chamber of Commerce along

These training courses created a really important background within which to collocate the new EU Directive about non-financial information, which must be

The empirical section, instead, concerns use of "content analysis" which was applied in the first 6 months of 2018 in order to summarise it in the second half of

The chapter includes the following sections: the first section contains the litera-

2. Literature review regarding institutional theory and social accounting

In choosing the theoretical framework as the basis of empirical research, institutionalist theory helps us to understand up to what point we may consider the process that, put into operation by the norm, induces a uniformity of behaviour in organisations, and therefore, in companies as well. Indeed, such an institutionalist theory takes the phenomenon of "isomorphism" [2] into consideration. On opposing sides, however, are authors who, together with such a phenomenon, have analysed companies which tend towards behaviours that are similar just in certain

Focus of institutionalist literature is inertia as well as the tendency to conform to behaviours that spread throughout organisations in order to adhere to the requests made by the economic, political, and environmental system wherein they operate.

ture review, the second one concerns the Italy-Rimini background for social accounting and CSR training courses, the third one analyses empirical research

of companies that attended the training courses on CSR within the PERCORSI project, in order to be able to understand what the starting point is from which information can be extracted for investigations following the implementation of law

Accounting and Finance - New Perspectives on Banking, Financial Statements and Reporting

of the existence of an external environment that cannot be measured in purely economic terms, but which refers to the expectations that various stakeholders have. It also implies the attempt of the company to meet these expectations, in order to increase the consent or, at least, to reach the legitimacy that it needs to

implementing accounting disclosure and making social, environmental and

considering certain, more recent, thoughts on the role of accounting and

tant hospitality and tourism industry concentrations in Europe.

compulsorily contained in the financial statements of enterprises.

results and the fourth one contains our conclusions.

CSR influence the area of Rimini in order to increase non-financial information

Literature review also points to social and environmental accounting as an emancipatory tool to ameliorating the quality of life. The case analysed is the Rimini area of Italy. The case had been chosen because Rimini has one of the most impor-

perform its objectives and to create strategic value [1].

contained in company financial statements?"

with public and private organisations.

254/16.

sustainability reporting.

accountability [3].

the year.

aspects.

24

He remarks that the observed studies of sustainability management and social reporting deliver some evidence for the institutionalisation of such practices. SR is the consequence of a combination of the mechanisms/structures that we described above. Larrinaga-González [16] hints that SDR (sustainability development reporting) is not yet entirely institutionalised and may be the outcome of additional general social/environmental awareness being institutionalised in some situations. Lastly, Larrinaga-González [16] faces the matter of modification and institutionalisation of SR and recognises some investigation designs. The former is about the initiating event that may change the institutional engagements and what elements play a role in changes to coercive/normative/cognitive mechanisms/structures. The latter is about the analysis of what interactions occur between competitive forces and institutional constructions in the progression of institutionalisation [19]. In the next section, we focus on the Italian peculiarities.

The EU Commission identifies some guiding trains of thought regarding socially responsible conduct like the codes of conduct, managerial rules and regulations, accounting, auditing and the drawing up of reports, labels, and socially responsible

From the point of view of provisions and policies issued by the Government, the partial Italian response is also substantiated in the CSR (corporate social responsibility)—SC (social commitment) project promoted by the Italian Ministry for

Until 2006, SEAR implementation in Italy was voluntary, from this date on, there has been the Italian law of 24th March 2006, No. 155: "The discipline of social enterprise", which at article 10 requires the compulsory drawing up of a social report. It is the first time that the Italian Parliament deliberated on a compulsory

The legislative decree of 30th December 2016, No. 254 was issued following implementation of directive 2014/95/EU of the European Parliament and of the European Council of 22nd October 2014, which modified directive 2013/34/EU as far as the communication of non-financial information and information on diversity by certain companies and certain large-scale groups are concerned. The decree came into effect on 25th January 2017 and the measures therein contained apply to financial years starting from 1st January 2017. This decree represents an important novelty since, for the first time in Italian for-profit businesses, the need for non-

We chose the Rimini case, because the influence on the environment especially

In 2004, Rimini began a process to spread CSR (corporate social responsibility) in the territory and to create a new culture using networks (PERCORSI Project). In the

of tourist entities (17,000) is great, as there is the main concentration of the

Labour and Social Policy (http://www.camcom.gov.it/cdc/).

CSR Training and Financial Statement "Disclosure": The Case of Italy

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.86688

4. CSR training and activities in the Rimini region

investments.

rule concerning SEAR.

financial accounting is ratified.

hospitality industry in Europe.

Table 1.

27

Parters of network percoRSI 2015.
