New Research on Early Non-Financial Disclosure and Sustainability

MMTC member Timur Uman, together with co-authors Maria Angela Manzi, Alessandro Cirillo, and Donata Mussolino, has published a significant new study in the European Management Review (ABS 3).

The article, titled "Early Adoption of Non-Financial Disclosure in Family Firms," explores the strategic use of non-financial disclosure as a signal of sustainability in the corporate world.

The research provides key insights into how businesses can enhance their market legitimacy and build trust with investors through early, voluntary adoption of sustainability reporting. Key findings reveal that family ownership influences early adoption, but this varies with other factors like founder CEO leadership and employee degrowth.

As more investors demand transparency and accountability on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues, this study offers a timely contribution to understanding the factors driving early adoption of non-financial reporting. The findings are particularly relevant for firms looking to stay ahead of regulatory requirements and strengthen their corporate social responsibility profiles.

This research enriches the ongoing conversation about sustainability in business, highlighting the strategic importance of non-financial disclosure in shaping a company’s reputation and relationships with stakeholders.