Firms’ Experiences with Mandatory Sustainability Reporting: Empirical Evidences from Turkish Companies

Abstract

The increasing severity of environmental issues, and the recognition of businesses as key players in this process, have heightened the importance of sustainability reporting as an accountability tool. Various standards and frameworks for sustainability reporting have been developed globally, and some countries have begun transitioning from voluntary to mandatory reporting. Businesses in Turkey that exceed certain threshold values are now required to prepare sustainability reports in accordance with the Turkish Sustainability Reporting Standards, effective 2024. This study aims to identify the experiences of businesses subject to mandatory sustainability reporting and the key challenges they face in the reporting process. To this end, a survey was conducted targeting businesses subject to mandatory reporting, and the data from 118 businesses were analyzed. The findings show that, along with increased stakeholder interest, senior management is allocating more resources to the reporting process, and that the areas where businesses face the greatest challenges are interdepartmental collaboration and data collection. It was found that participating companies work with a large number of suppliers, have low levels of awareness and compliance with regulatory standards regarding environmental, social, and governance issues, and have limited capacity to provide data.

Keywords

• Corporate Sustainability
• sustainability reporting
• sustainability reporting standards

Supporting Institution

Erasmus+ KA220-VET Mesleki Eğitimde İşbirliği Ortaklıkları “ESG-AI Hub: European Sustainability Reporting Skills in the Digital Age

Project Number

2025-1-TR01-KA220-VET-000351760

Ethical Statement

In this study, data was collected from participants on a voluntary basis during the data collection process. Throughout the study, the principles of scientific research and publication ethics were adhered to, and the confidentiality of personal data was protected. There are no conflicts of interest.

Zorunlu Sürdürülebilirlik Raporlaması Uygulama Deneyimleri: Türk Şirketlerinden Ampirik Bulgular

Abstract

Çevresel sorunların giderek derinleşmesi ve işletmelerin bu süreçte önemli aktörler olarak görülmesi, bir hesap verebilirlik aracı olarak sürdürülebilirlik raporlamasının önemini artırmıştır. Küresel ölçekte sürdürülebilirlik raporlamasına yönelik çeşitli standart ve çerçeveler geliştirilmiş, bazı ülkelerde gönüllü raporlamadan zorunlu uygulamalara geçiş başlamıştır. Türkiye’de de belirli eşik değerleri aşan işletmelerin 2024 yılı itibarıyla Türkiye Sürdürülebilirlik Raporlama Standartları’na uygun sürdürülebilirlik raporu hazırlaması zorunlu hale getirilmiştir. Bu çalışma, zorunlu sürdürülebilirlik raporlaması kapsamındaki işletmelerin raporlama sürecine yönelik deneyimlerini ve karşılaştıkları temel zorlukları belirlemeyi amaçlamaktadır. Bu amaçla, zorunlu raporlama kapsamındaki işletmelere yönelik bir anket çalışması yürütülmüş ve 118 işletmeden elde edilen veriler analiz edilmiştir. Elde edilen bulgular, paydaş ilgisinin artışıyla birlikte üst yönetimin raporlama sürecine ayırdığı kaynakların arttığını, işletmelerin en fazla zorlandığı alanların departmanlar arası iş birliği ve veri toplama olduğunu göstermektedir. Katılımcı firmaların çok sayıda tedarikçi ile çalıştığı, bu işletmelerin çevresel, sosyal ve yönetişim farkındalık ve düzenleyici standartlara ilişkin bilgi düzeylerinin düşük olduğu ve veri sağlama kapasitesinin sınırlı olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Bu yönüyle çalışma, Türkiye’de zorunlu sürdürülebilirlik raporlamasına ilişkin erken dönem işletme deneyimlerini ortaya koyarak literatüre katkı sunmakta ve politika yapıcılar için yol gösterici çıkarımlar sağlamaktadır.

Keywords

• Kurumsal sürdürülebilirlik
• sürdürülebilirlik raporlaması
• sürdürülebilirlik raporlama standartları

Supporting Institution

Erasmus+ KA220-VET Mesleki Eğitimde İşbirliği Ortaklıkları “ESG-AI Hub: European Sustainability Reporting Skills in the Digital Age

Project Number

2025-1-TR01-KA220-VET-000351760

Ethical Statement

Bu çalışmada kapsamında veri toplama sürecinde yer alan katılımcılardan gönüllülük esasına dayalı olarak veri elde edilmiştir. Çalışma sürecinde bilimsel araştırma ve yayın etiğine uyulmuş, kişisel verilerin gizliliği korunmuştur. herhangi bir çıkar çatışması bulunmamaktadır.

References

1. Acheampong, O., Tauringana, V., Asare, N., & Okyere, G. A. (2026). Sustainability reporting determinants: A systematic review of trends, challenges, and opportunities. Journal of African Business, 27(1), 200–232.
2. Akdoğan, M. U. (2024). Sürdürülebilirlik bilgilerinin raporlanmasında kullanılan raporlama çerçevelerine toplu bakış ve tek raporlama çerçevesine duyulan ihtiyaç-Güncel gelişmeler. Muhasebe ve Denetime Bakış Dergisi, 72, 217–238. https://doi.org/10.55322/mdbakis.1448567
3. Ali, I., Lodhia, S., & Narayan, A. (2021). Value creation attempts via photographs in sustainability reporting: A legitimacy theory perspective. Meditari Accountancy Research, 29, 2, 247–263. https://doi.org/10.1108/MEDAR-02-2020-0722
4. Aras, G., & Crowther, D. (2009). Corporate sustainability reporting: A study in disingenuity?. Journal of Business Ethics, 87, 279–288. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-008-9806-0
5. Aydın, S. (2015). Kurumsal raporlamanın evrilme sürecine ilişkin bir irdeleme. Financial Analysis / Mali Çözüm Dergisi, 25(130), 61–72.
6. Ball, A., & Craig, R. (2010). Using neo-institutionalism to advance social and environmental accounting. Critical Perspectives on Accounting, 21(4), 283–293. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpa.2009.11.003
7. Barker, R. (2025). Corporate sustainability reporting. Journal of Accounting and Public Policy, 49, 107280, 1–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaccpubpol.2024.107280
8. BIST (2020). Sürdürülebilirlik rehberi. https://www.borsaistanbul.com/files/Surdurulebilirlik_Rehberi_2020.pdf (Erişim Tarihi:10.01.2026).

9. Braun, T. (2026). Corporate sustainability reporting directive – engagement of SMEs into the EU multilevel sustainability enforcement system. Journal of Global Responsibility, 17, 2, 343–365. https://doi.org/10.1108/JGR-04-2025-0126
10. Ching, H. Y., & Gerab, F. (2017). Sustainability reports in Brazil through the lens of signaling, legitimacy and stakeholder theories. Social Responsibility Journal, 13(1), 95–110. https://doi.org/10.1108/SRJ-10-2015-0147
11. Dagilienė, L., & Nedzinskienė, R. (2018). “An institutional theory perspective on non-financial reporting: The developing Baltic context”. Journal of Financial Reporting and Accounting, 16(4), 490–521. https://doi.org/10.1108/JFRA-06-2016-0054
12. De M., Patrice, R., Loredana , Vitale, S. C., & Maraghini, M. P. (2021). The challenges of sustainability reporting and their management: The case of Estra. Meditari Accountancy Research, 29(3), 430–448. https://doi.org/10.1108/MEDAR-09-2019-0555
13. Dinçer, B., & Dinçer, C.(2024). Insights into sustainability reporting: Trends, aspects, and theoretical perspectives from a qualitative lens. Journal of Risk and Financial Management, 17(2), 68. https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm17020068
14. Dyllick, T., & Hockerts, K. (2002). Beyond the business case for corporate sustainability. Business Strategy and Environment, 11(2), 130–141. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.323
15. EFRAG (2025). “ESRS–ISSB Standards Interoperability Guidance”. https://www.ifrs.org/content/dam/ifrs/supporting-implementation/issb-standards/esrs-issb-standards-interoperability-guidance.pdf (Erişim Tarihi: 05.01.2026).
16. Erdoğan, M. (2024). Kurumsal sürdürülebilirlik raporlaması ve denetimi: Teoriden pratiğe – 100'den fazla örnek analiz ile zenginleştirilmiş uygulamalı rehber. Gazi Kitabevi, Ankara.
17. Erin, O. A., & Bamigboye, O. A. (2022). Evaluation and analysis of SDG reporting: evidence from Africa. Journal of Accounting & Organizational Change, 18(3), 369–396. https://doi.org/10.1108/JAOC-02-2020-0025
18. Erin, Olayinka A., Bamigboye, O. A., & Oyewo, B. (2022). Sustainable development goals (SDG) reporting: An analysis of disclosure. Journal of Accounting in Emerging Economies, 12(5), 761–789. https://doi.org/10.1108/JAEE-02-2020-0037
19. Farao, C., Bernuzzi, C., & Ronchetti, C. (2023). The crucial role of green soft skills and leadership for sustainability: A case study of an Italian small and medium enterprise operating in the food sector. Sustainability, 15, 15841. https://doi.org/10.3390/su152215841
20. Freeman, R.E. (1984), Strategic Management: A Stakeholder Approach, Pitman Publishing, MA
21. Goerzen, A., Van A., Ari., Z., James X., & Zhang, L. (2025). From the editors: Global sustainability reporting standards and the future of international business. Journal of International Business Policy, 8, 125–136. https://doi.org/10.1057/s42214-025-00213-x
22. Gunawan, J., Permatasari, P., & Fauzi, H. (2022). The evolution of sustainability reporting practices in Indonesia. Journal of Cleaner Production, 358, 131798. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.131798
23. Gürlevük, E. (2024). Role of ESG reporting in small and medium-sized enterprises: Benefits, challenges and the EU’s regulatory push. Energy Policy Studies, 1, 62–81.
24. Hahn, R., & Kühnen, M. (2013). Determinants of sustainability reporting: A review of results, trends, theory, and opportunities in an expanding field of research. Journal of Cleaner Production, 59, 5–21.
25. Hummel, K., & Jobst, D. (2024). An overview of corporate sustainability reporting legislation in the European Union. Accounting in Europe, 21(3), 320–355. https://doi.org/10.1080/17449480.2024.2312145
26. IFRS (2018). Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting. IFRS Foundation.
27. IFRS https://www.ifrs.org/issued-standards/ifrs-sustainability-standards-navigator/ifrs-s1-general-requirements/(Erişim Tarihi: 11.11.2025)
28. IFRS. https://www.ifrs.org/about-us/consolidated-organisations/ (Erişim Tarihi: 11.11.2025)
29. IFRS. “IFRS S1 General Requirements”. https://www.ifrs.org/issued-standards/ifrs-sustainability-standards-navigator/ifrs-s1-general-requirements/ (Erişim Tarihi: 11.11.2025)
30. Jain, K., & Tripathi, P. S. (2022). Challenges of sustainability reporting from managerial perspective: A review and future agenda. Metamorphosis: A Journal of Management Research, 21(2), 140–151.
31. Karcıoğlu, R., & Öztürk, S. (2021). Sürdürülebilirlik muhasebesi ve raporlaması. Gazi Kitabevi, Ankara.
32. Kaur, A. & Lodhia, S. K. (2019). Key issues and challenges in stakeholder engagement in sustainability reporting: A study of Australian local councils. Pacific Accounting Review, 31(1), 2–18. https://doi.org/10.1108/PAR-11-2017-0092
33. KGK (2018) Finansal Raporlamaya İlişkin Kavramsal Çerçeve https://www.kgk.gov.tr/Portalv2Uploads/files/Duyurular/v2/TFRS/Finansal%20Raporlamaya%20%C4%B0li%C5%9Fkin%20Kavramsal%20%C3%87er%C3%A7eve%20.pdf(Erişim Tarihi: …)
34. KGK (2024). “Sürdürülebilirlik genel bilgilendirme”. https://www.kgk.gov.tr/Portalv2Uploads/files/Duyurular/v2/Surdurulebilirlik/Genel%20Bilgilendirme.pdf (Erişim Tarihi: 10.09.2025)
35. Kızıltan, B., & Doğan, D. U. (2021). Kurumsal raporlamanın gelişimi: Entegre raporlam. Uluslararası İktisadi ve İdari Bilimler Dergisi, 7(1), 62–78.
36. Kolk, A. (2004). “A decade of sustainability reporting: Developments and significance. International Journal of Environment and Sustainable Development, 3(1), 51–64.
37. Krivogorsky, V. (2024). Sustainability reporting with two different voices: The European Union and the International Sustainability Standards Board. Journal of International Accounting, Auditing and Taxation, 56, 100635.
38. Liu, M., Tang, J., Walton, S., Zhang, Y., & Zhao, X. (2024). Auditor sustainability focus and client sustainability reporting. Accounting, Organizations and Society, 113, 101512. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aos.2023.101512
39. Maćkowiak, E. (2025). Opportunities and barriers to ESG reporting in small and medium-sized enterprises. Scientific Papers of Silesian University of Technology. Organization & Management / Zeszyty Naukowe Politechniki Śląskiej. Seria Organizacji i Zarządzanie, 241, 309–328.
40. Molnár, P., Lukács, B., & Tóth, Á. (2025). Toward social disclosure alignment: Evaluating the interoperability of ISSB S2 with ESRS and GRI Standards. Societies, 15(10), 273.
41. O'Reilly, S., Mac An Bhaird, C., Gorman, L., & Brennan, N. M. (2025). Accounting practitioners’ perspectives on small-and medium-sized enterprises’ environmental sustainability reporting. Journal of Applied Accounting Research, 26(6), 26–46.
42. Özsözgün Çalışkan, A. (2012). Sürdürülebilirlik raporlaması. Journal of Accounting and Taxation Studies, 5(1), 41–68.
43. Papafloratos, T., & Pantazi, T. (2025). A systematic review of the effects of mandatory corporate sustainability reporting. Sustainability, 17(12), 5336. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17125336
44. PwC (2024). PwC’s Global CSRD Survey 2024. https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/issues/esg/global-csrd-survey.html (Erişim Tarihi: 10.11.2025).
45. PwC (2025). Global CSRD survey. https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/issues/esg/global-sustainability-reporting-survey.html(Erişim Tarihi: 10.11.2025).
46. Sharma, R. (2026). Unveiling the effects of the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) on company sustainability reporting practices: A case of German companies. Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal, 17(3), 922–960. https://doi.org/10.1108/SAMPJ-01-2025-0091
47. SPK. “Sürdürülebilirlik ilkeleri uyum çerçevesi”. https://spk.gov.tr/data/63a17b1a8f95db0fa40e3309/s%C3%BCrd%C3%BCr%C3%BClebilirlik%20ilkeleri%20uyum%20cercevesi.pdf (Erişim Tarihi: 10.11.2025).
48. Setyaningsih, S., Widjojo, R., & Kelle, P. (2024). Challenges and opportunities in sustainability reporting: A focus on small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Cogent Business & Management, 11(1), 2298215.
49. Shygun, M., & Bezverkhyi, K. (2025). Sustainability reporting as a tool for corporate social responsibility. European Journal of Sustainable Development Research, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.29333/ejosdr/17274
50. Tauringana, V. (2021). Sustainability reporting challenges in developing countries: Towards management perceptions research evidence-based practices. Journal of Accounting in Emerging Economies, 11(2), 194–215. https://doi.org/10.1108/JAEE-01-2020-0007
51. Tutar, S., & Anıl Keskin, D. (2024). Sustainability and corporate reporting: Historical and conceptual approach. Journal of Business Academy, 5(4), 312–336.
52. Unerman, J., Bebbington, J., & O’Dwyer, B. (2018). Corporate reporting and accounting for externalities. Accounting and Business Research, 48(5), 497–522. https://doi.org/10.1080/00014788.2018.1470155
53. Uyar, A. (2016). Evolution of corporate reporting and emerging trends. Journal of Corporate Accounting & Finance, 27(4), 27–30. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcaf.22157
54. Wagenhofer, A. (2024). Sustainability reporting: A financial reporting perspective. Accounting in Europe, 21(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1080/17449480.2023.2218398
55. World Commission on Environment and Development (1987). Our common future (The Brundtland Report). Oxford University Press.