A survey of the social accounting and reporting practices adopted by the mobile phone service providers in Kenya
Abstract
This study sought to determine the social accounting and reporting practices adopted by the mobile
phone service provider firms in Kenya. This was achieved by obtaining and analyzing both primary
and secondary data. Primary data was obtained by way of questionnaires and the respondents drawn
from senior management level of the four mobile phone service providers in Kenya. Secondary data
comprised the published annual reports and accounts of these firms covering 2007/2008 and
2008/2009 fmancial periods.
The social accounting practices considered are viewed from the following perspectives; social
accounting awareness and orientation, how the firms conceive social accounting, how the firms
identify the social activities, how the firms record social transactions and also how these firms do
report or communicate social information to the stakeholders.
In terms of awareness, the survey reveals that mobile phone service providers are aware of social
accounting and are actually practicing it but the practices are carried out under the traditional
accounting systems. The survey also shows that firms conceive social accounting as an information
system that enhances day-to-day management of the social issues. The social actions are identified in
line with the organizations strategies, practices and policies, social priorities and social cost-benefit
analysis results.
The study also reveals that the firms adopt the traditional system of recording social transactions and
that their reports tend to be in narrative non- fmancial forms that almost entirely cover only the
positive information on social activities. Lack of a formal format and standards that govern what to
include in the social reports was revealed as one of the greatest challenges that face these firms in
attempting to practices social accounting.
Citation
Masters Of Business Administration (MBA) DegreePublisher
University of Nairobi School of Business
Description
A research project submitted in partial fulfillment of the
requirements for the Degree of Master of Business
Administration, School of Business, University of Nairobi