The influence of Buddhist philosophy on sustainability reporting in Sri Lanka

Prabanga Thoradeniya

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-62171-1_27

The influence of Buddhist philosophy on sustainability reporting in Sri Lanka

Prabanga Thoradeniya

Department of Accounting

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (Book) › Research › peer-review

Abstract

The study explores the influence of Buddhist philosophy as a motivator for sustainability reporting (SR) by companies, in a developing country setting. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews with managers of listed and non-listed companies in Sri Lanka, a country ingrained in Buddhist philosophy for over two and a half millennia. The findings indicate that corporate social responsibility has been practised in Sri Lankan society since ancient times. The beliefs, thinking patterns and mindset of listed and non-listed company managers, born and raised under Buddhist background, is heavily influenced by Buddhist teachings of ‘kamma’, rebirth, conservation, empathy and social sustainability. Evidenced in the study is the translation of personal values to corporate values as the motivation for sustainability projects and SR. Contrary behaviour demonstrated by a large conglomerate and a subsidiary of a multinational company indicated that these companies did not appreciate the local values and beliefs inspired by Buddhist philosophy.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	New Horizons in Management, Leadership and Sustainability
Subtitle of host publication	Innovative Case Studies and Solutions for Emerging Economies
Editors	Satinder Dhiman, Ramanie Samaratunge
Place of Publication	Cham Switzerland
Publisher	Springer
Chapter	27
Pages	555-568
Number of pages	14
Edition	1st
ISBN (Electronic)	9783030621711
ISBN (Print)	9783030621704
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-62171-1_27
Publication status	Published - 2021

Publication series

Name	Future of Business and Finance
Publisher	Springer
ISSN (Print)	2662-2467
ISSN (Electronic)	2662-2475

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

10.1007/978-3-030-62171-1_27

1 Edited Book

New Horizons in Management, Leadership and Sustainability: Innovative Case Studies and Solutions for Emerging Economies
Dhiman, S. (ed.) & Samaratunge, R. (ed.), 2021, 1st ed. Cham Switzerland: Springer. 590 p. (Future of Business and Finance)
Research output: Book/Report › Edited Book › peer-review

Cite this

Thoradeniya, P. (2021). The influence of Buddhist philosophy on sustainability reporting in Sri Lanka. In S. Dhiman, & R. Samaratunge (Eds.), New Horizons in Management, Leadership and Sustainability: Innovative Case Studies and Solutions for Emerging Economies (1st ed., pp. 555-568). (Future of Business and Finance). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-62171-1_27

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Thoradeniya, P 2021, The influence of Buddhist philosophy on sustainability reporting in Sri Lanka. in S Dhiman & R Samaratunge (eds), New Horizons in Management, Leadership and Sustainability: Innovative Case Studies and Solutions for Emerging Economies. 1st edn, Future of Business and Finance, Springer, Cham Switzerland, pp. 555-568. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-62171-1_27

The influence of Buddhist philosophy on sustainability reporting in Sri Lanka. / Thoradeniya, Prabanga.

New Horizons in Management, Leadership and Sustainability: Innovative Case Studies and Solutions for Emerging Economies. ed. / Satinder Dhiman; Ramanie Samaratunge. 1st. ed. Cham Switzerland : Springer, 2021. p. 555-568 (Future of Business and Finance).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (Book) › Research › peer-review

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Thoradeniya P. The influence of Buddhist philosophy on sustainability reporting in Sri Lanka. In Dhiman S, Samaratunge R, editors, New Horizons in Management, Leadership and Sustainability: Innovative Case Studies and Solutions for Emerging Economies. 1st ed. Cham Switzerland: Springer. 2021. p. 555-568. (Future of Business and Finance). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-62171-1_27