JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.
Scrutiny, Norms, and Selective Disclosure: A Global Study of Greenwashing

Author
Marquis, Christopher; Toffel, Michael; Zhou, Yanhua
Abstract
Under increased pressure to report environmental impacts, some firms selectively disclose relatively benign impacts,
creating an impression of transparency while masking their true performance. We theorize circumstances under which
firms are less likely to engage in such selective disclosure, focusing on organizational and institutional factors that intensify
scrutiny and expectations of transparency and that foster civil society mobilization. We test our hypotheses using a novel panel
data set of 4,750 public companies across many industries that are headquartered in 45 countries during 2004–2007. Results
show that firms that are more environmentally damaging, particularly those in countries where they are more exposed
to scrutiny and global norms, are less likely to engage in selective disclosure. We discuss contributions to research on
institutional theory, strategic management, and information disclosure.
Date Issued
2016Publisher
INFORMS
Subject
institutional theory; social movements; sustainability; corporate social responsibility; symbolic management; information disclosure; sustainability reporting; greenwashing; civil society; globalization
Related Publication(s)
Marquis, Christopher, Michael Toffel and Yanhua Zhou. 2016. “Scrutiny, Norms, and Selective Disclosure: A Global Study of Greenwashing.” Organization Science, 27: 2, 483–504.
Link(s) to Related Publication(s)
ISSN
1047-7039
Rights
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
Type
article
The following license files are associated with this item:
Except where otherwise noted, this item's license is described as Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International