Social reporting by Islamic banks: Does social justice matter?

Kamla, R; Rammal, HG

Social reporting by Islamic banks: Does social justice matter?

Kamla, R Rammal, HG

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Accounting, Auditing and Accountability Journal, 2013, 26 (6), pp. 911 - 945
Issue Date:: 2013-07-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Kamla, R	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Rammal, HG https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3346-080X	en_US
dc.date.issued	2013-07-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Accounting, Auditing and Accountability Journal, 2013, 26 (6), pp. 911 - 945	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	0951-3574	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/116742
dc.description.abstract	Purpose: This study examines social reporting by Islamic banks with special emphasis on themes related to social justice. By using critical theory and "immanent critique", the study attempts to explain and delineate reasons for disclosures and silences in Islamic banks' annual reports and web sites vis-à-vis social justice. Design/methodology/approach: The approach taken was a content analysis of annual reports and web sites of 19 Islamic banks. Findings: Islamic banks' disclosures emphasise their religious character through claims that they adhere to Sharia's teachings. Their disclosures, however, lack specific or detailed information regarding schemes or initiatives vis-à-vis poverty eradication or enhancing social justice. Research limitations/implications: Limitations associated with content analysis of annual reports and internet web sites apply. This study focuses on Islamic banks' social roles. Further studies of banks' social roles in society in general are of interest. Practical implications: Drawing attention of Islamic banks and other stakeholders to the gap between the rhetorical religious and ethical claims of Islamic banks and their activities (as depicted through their disclosures) opens up the possibility of a positive change in Islamic banks' actual social roles. Originality/value: The study fills a gap in both social accounting and Islamic accounting literatures with its emphasis on social justice and poverty eradication. The study contributes to the very scarce literature linking religion (especially Islam), critical theory, social accounting and Islamic accounting. It goes beyond previous research in Islamic accounting literature by exposing contradictions in the Islamic banking industry's rhetoric regarding their social role in society. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Accounting, Auditing and Accountability Journal	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1108/AAAJ-03-2013-1268	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Accounting	en_US
dc.title	Social reporting by Islamic banks: Does social justice matter?	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	6	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	26	en_US
utslib.for	1501 Accounting, Auditing and Accountability	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Business
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Business/Management Discipline
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access
pubs.issue	6	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	26	en_US

Abstract:

Purpose: This study examines social reporting by Islamic banks with special emphasis on themes related to social justice. By using critical theory and "immanent critique", the study attempts to explain and delineate reasons for disclosures and silences in Islamic banks' annual reports and web sites vis-à-vis social justice. Design/methodology/approach: The approach taken was a content analysis of annual reports and web sites of 19 Islamic banks. Findings: Islamic banks' disclosures emphasise their religious character through claims that they adhere to Sharia's teachings. Their disclosures, however, lack specific or detailed information regarding schemes or initiatives vis-à-vis poverty eradication or enhancing social justice. Research limitations/implications: Limitations associated with content analysis of annual reports and internet web sites apply. This study focuses on Islamic banks' social roles. Further studies of banks' social roles in society in general are of interest. Practical implications: Drawing attention of Islamic banks and other stakeholders to the gap between the rhetorical religious and ethical claims of Islamic banks and their activities (as depicted through their disclosures) opens up the possibility of a positive change in Islamic banks' actual social roles. Originality/value: The study fills a gap in both social accounting and Islamic accounting literatures with its emphasis on social justice and poverty eradication. The study contributes to the very scarce literature linking religion (especially Islam), critical theory, social accounting and Islamic accounting. It goes beyond previous research in Islamic accounting literature by exposing contradictions in the Islamic banking industry's rhetoric regarding their social role in society. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/116742