Title: Credit reporting agency stakeholder and CSR reporting linkages

Authors: Edward T. Vieira Jr.; Susan Grantham; Susan D. Sampson

Addresses: The School of Business, Simmons University, 300 The Fenway, Boston, MA 02115, USA ' School of Communication, University of Hartford, 200 Bloomfield Rd., West Hartford, CT 06117, USA ' The School of Business, Simmons University, 300 The Fenway, Boston, MA 02115, USA

Abstract: This Experian Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) report case study was informed by the 3Ps of sustainability along with legal, ethical, economic, and philanthropic CSR practices. Text network analysis yielded keywords, an overall theme, and 15 sub-themes. In its CSR report, Experian described and emphasised how its services can help consumers develop and protect their financial identity, which lead to greater choices, opportunities, and a sustainable quality life. At the same time, some of Experian's business practices suggest a misalignment with stated strategic goals and practices. This research is unique in that it examines CSR reporting of an organisation in which its key stakeholders are both customers and the product at the same time, making them vital to the company's existence. Results suggest how legitimacy theory and lack of disclosing negative events are deployed to maintain credibility between the organisation and these essential stakeholders.

Keywords: corporate social responsibility; CSR reporting; CSR disclosure; Experian; business ethics.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBGE.2024.135076

International Journal of Business Governance and Ethics, 2024 Vol.18 No.1, pp.64 - 83

Received: 26 Jul 2021
Accepted: 17 Aug 2022
Published online: 30 Nov 2023 *