This book examines on an international basis how small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) cope with the changing economic and social challenges, which are also reflected in financial and non-financial reporting. To this end, it presents six case studies from Germany, Hungary, Romania, Poland, Italy, and the United Kingdom, with a particular focus on integrated reporting (IR). The cases presented are drawn from collaborative research within the international network of INTEREST, an international project on integrated reporting for SME transparency. The book will be of interest to researchers and practitioners.

This book goes beyond environmental protection and looks at sustainability by predominantly focusing on human and social sustainability and this focus is carried into sections of the book that discuss sustainable policies, media and gender. The book takes an academic and practitioner approach.

This timely handbook provides a current and comprehensive examination of integrated reporting, both practical and research-based. It offers insights and different perspectives from more than 60 authors, including representatives of the International Integrated Reporting Council, Integrated Reporting Committee of South Africa, professional bodies and audit firms, as well as leading academics in the fields of integrated reporting, sustainability reporting and corporate social responsibility. This collected work provides an in-depth review of the development of integrated reporting, with a focus on the interpretation and guidance provided by the International Integrated Reporting Council. It encourages the development of new thinking and research topics in the area of integrated reporting (such as links between integrated reporting and reports focused on financial and corporate social responsibility matters), as well as showcasing how integrated reporting issues are seen and practiced in different parts of the world. The chapters include reviews of the most recent research, practitioner viewpoints, conceptual pieces, case studies and disclosure analyses. Accessible and engaging, this handbook will be an invaluable overview for those new to the field or those who are interested in ensuring they are up to date with its developments, as well as those who are concerned with how to construct an integrated report.

Analyzing the development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Asian developing countries, the book is based on a survey of key literature and data on SMEs with the focus on; recent development, export performance, main constraints, competitiveness, innovation and technology transfer, and female entrepreneurs.

There has been an increased interest in social and environmental issues in recent years as more consideration is given to the idea of sustainability and social accounting. Social accounting can be considered a straightforward manifestation of corporate enforcement to legitimize, explain, and justify the organization’s activities or an ethically desirable component of any well-functioning democracy. Social accounting can also include environmental accounting, which is focused on environmental issues. Additional study is required to better understand the relevancy of social and environmental accounting in today’s modern business world. Modern Regulations and Practices for Social and Environmental Accounting discusses social and environmental accounting and considers regulations, norms, organizational practices, and the challenges of education. Covering a range of topics such as non-financial reporting and corporate social responsibility, this reference work is ideal for industry professionals, researchers, academicians, managers, practitioners, instructors, and students.

The development of the Digital Economy has been a landmark breakthrough for economic systems in the 21st century, as it opens up opportunities for the full-scale implementation of new digital technologies and the optimization of economic activities. While the conceptual essence and specific features of the digital economy are described in detail in the existing literature, the practical foundations of its formation are poorly studied. In this book, the digital economy is studied from the perspective of neo-institutional economic theory. This allows for the tracking of the process of formation (institutionalization) of the digital economy, determining the basic institutions that are necessary for its formation and that exist in modern economic practice, and analyzing scenarios for the future development of the digital economy in the 21st century.

The SME Policy Index is a benchmarking tool for emerging economies to monitor and evaluate progress in policies that support small and medium-sized enterprises.

As the world pivots towards a future defined by technological advancement, the pursuit of sustainable development faces intricate challenges that intertwine governance, management, and finance. The rapid growth of Industry and Society 5.0 necessitate innovative governance frameworks that can balance economic growth with environmental responsibility and social equity. Effective management strategies are crucial to integrating sustainable practices within both industry and society, ensuring that progress does not come at the expense of future generations. Sustainable Development in Industry and Society 5.0: Governance, Management, and Financial Implications offers an exploration of the multifaceted challenges and strategies for achieving sustainability in the era of advanced technological and societal transformation. This book delves into innovative governance frameworks that balance economic growth with environmental and social priorities. Covering topics such as financial literacy, policy and law, and sustainable investment, this book is a valuable resource for policymakers, academicians, researchers, government officials, business leaders, managers, financial analysts, technologists and innovators, post-graduate students, and educators.

A valuable interdisciplinary resource examining the concept and effectiveness of CSR as a tool for sustainable development in emerging markets.