Exploring Voluntary Disclosure: a social reporting perspective

Professional associations, public institutions and groups of companies have developed standards for the diffusion of information that are different from the traditional forms of communication. Among the mentioned representation models a very important role is assumed by the Social-Balance-Sheet. Companies that draw up a SBS may use different international standards and guidelines, because there aren’t defined regulations. In this direction, the purpose of this paper is to define the role of social balance sheet for contemporary companies in the knowledge economy, by providing an updated conceptualization of international standards and guidelines used to apply the voluntary disclosure.