Corporate environmental responsibility and accountability: What chance in vulnerable Bangladesh?. (December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Belal, Ataur Rahman; Cooper, Stuart M.; Khan, Niaz Ahmed
• Is Part Of: Critical perspectives on accounting. Volume 33(2015)
• Page Start: 44
• Page End: 58
• Publication Date: 2015-12
• Subjects: Bangladesh -- Corporations -- Environmental accountability -- Ecological rifts -- Vulnerability; Accounting -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Accountants -- Professional ethics -- Periodicals; 657.05
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cpa.2015.01.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1045-2354

Abstract

Abstract: Bangladesh has recently been enjoying significant economic growth mainly arising from an export led development strategy. However, in that process its natural environment has been degraded and become more vulnerable in geophysical terms (e.g. environmental pollution). Much of the Bangladeshi population are also vulnerable in socio-economic terms due primarily to widespread poverty. In this context we ask, albeit sceptically, whether there is any chance of holding corporations to account for their environmental responsibilities. Using the notions of vulnerability and ecological rifts we answer this question by providing evidence from published sources and a series of 32 semi-structured interviews with Bangladeshi stakeholder groups. Key findings include, inter alia, corporate reluctance to take responsibility for the environmental impact of their activities. Our interviewees discuss the possibility of a role for mandatory corporate reporting in enhancing corporate accountability and we argue that this is essential if the contradictions and irrationalities of the globalized capitalist system are to be made visible. Achieving such accountability, however, will not be easy due to a lack of political will and the prohibitive costs involved. Incurring such costs could raise the dangerous prospect of Bangladesh losing business to other, less regulated, economies.