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2021 | OriginalPaper | Chapter

27. The Influence of Buddhist Philosophy on Sustainability Reporting in Sri Lanka

Author : Prabanga Thoradeniya

Published in: New Horizons in Management, Leadership and Sustainability

Publisher: Springer International Publishing

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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.

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Title: The Influence of Buddhist Philosophy on Sustainability Reporting in Sri Lanka
Author: Prabanga Thoradeniya
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Book: New Horizons in Management, Leadership and Sustainability
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-62170-4

Electronic ISBN: 978-3-030-62171-1

Copyright Year: 2021
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-62171-1_27