Synthesis of Social Disclosure and Financial Accounting Research
The three main research categories for social disclosures research (Gray, Kouhy and Lavers
1995) are the decision usefulness studies, economic theory studies and social and political
theory studies. Per category the paradigm description components from Belkaoui (2000) are
provided, which could classify these categories as research paradigms.
A much cited example decision usefulness studies in the field of CSR is Aupperle (1984). The
general thoughts within this research category are that the financial community regards
corporate social as somewhat useful with taking financial decisions, although the outcomes of
the studies are inconsistent. There is not a clear theoretical foundation that supports this
research category. The research methods are statistical, using regression models.
A specific example of the economic theory studies is the PAT-study by Belkaoui and Karpik
(1989). The general thoughts are the existence of free markets and information asymmetry.
There is a methodological pluralism within this category.