Journals / Erciyes Üniversitesi İktisadi ve İdari Bilimler Fakültesi Dergisi / 2025 / Sayı: 72

Content analysis of ESG (environmental, social, and governance) factors in sustainability reports: a qualitative study on ISO 500 companies

Sürdürülebilirlik raporlarında ESG (çevresel, sosyal, yönetişim) faktörlerinin içerik analizi: İSO 500 şirketleri üzerine nitel bir araştırma

İsmail Karakulle(KASTAMONU ÜNİVERSİTESİ)0000-0002-5372-2010
Pages
251–260
Publication Date
2025-12-31
🏛️Bibliographic metadata and full text access for this article are provided via DergiPark.
DergiPark Record ↗
✨

AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

The findings reveal that environmental reporting places a strong emphasis on energy efficiency (92.31%) and renewable energy use (96.15%), while measurable environmental indicators, such as carbon footprint (42.31%) and water consumption (50%), appear less frequently.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:This study aims to examine the current state and emerging trends of corporate sustainability practices in Türkiye by analyzing the publicly available 2024 sustainability reports of large-scale industrial enterprises.
📊
Key Findings & Data:Among the companies listed in the ISO 500, 40 firms were identified as having published sustainability reports; those presenting sustainability information only within their annual reports and those with reports prepared exclusively in English were excluded, resulting in a final sample of 26 companies.
💡
Conclusion & Impact:The findings reveal that environmental reporting places a strong emphasis on energy efficiency (92.31%) and renewable energy use (96.15%), while measurable environmental indicators, such as carbon footprint (42.31%) and water consumption (50%), appear less frequently.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:2024 Verileri
⚙️Variables:ESG · içerik analizi · kurumsal sosyal sorumluluk

Abstract

This study aims to examine the current state and emerging trends of corporate sustainability practices in Türkiye by analyzing the publicly available 2024 sustainability reports of large-scale industrial enterprises. It further seeks to evaluate companies’ sustainability priorities as well as the similarities and differences in their reporting practices. The study sample was determined through purposive sampling. This approach was chosen because conducting a content analysis of sustainability reporting requires focusing on companies whose reporting practices are transparent, comparable, and provide sufficiently detailed information. Among the companies listed in the ISO 500, 40 firms were identified as having published sustainability reports; those presenting sustainability information only within their annual reports and those with reports prepared exclusively in English were excluded, resulting in a final sample of 26 companies. The reports of these 26 firms were analyzed using qualitative content analysis within the framework of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors. The findings reveal that environmental reporting places a strong emphasis on energy efficiency (92.31%) and renewable energy use (96.15%), while measurable environmental indicators, such as carbon footprint (42.31%) and water consumption (50%), appear less frequently. In the domain of social sustainability, occupational health and safety, and social responsibility emerge as dominant themes, whereas community contribution is addressed in only 26.92% of the reports. Within the governance dimension, transparency is the most frequently reported theme; however, key strategic areas, such as ethical management (23.08%), risk management (19.23%), and board structure (34.62%), are underrepresented. Moreover, six reports do not include any governance-related information. Overall, the study indicates that industrial enterprises in Türkiye have developed a certain level of institutional capacity in sustainability reporting; however, further progress is needed, particularly in the areas of governance and societal impact.

Özet

Bu araştırma Türkiye’deki büyük ölçekli sanayi kuruluşlarının 2024 yılına ait kamuya açık sürdürülebilirlik raporları üzerinden kurumsal sürdürülebilirlik uygulamalarının mevcut durum ve eğilimlerini inceleyerek şirketlerin sürdürülebilirlik önceliklerini, raporlama uygulamalarındaki benzerlik ve farklılıkları değerlendirmeyi amaçlamaktadır. Araştırmanın örneklemi amaçlı örnekleme yöntemiyle belirlenmiştir. Bu örneklemenin seçilme nedeni sürdürülebilirlik raporlamasına ilişkin içerik analizinin yalnızca raporlama pratiği belirgin, karşılaştırılabilir ve detaylı bilgi sunan şirketler üzerinde yürütülmesinin gerekliliğidir. İSO 500’de yer alan şirketler arasından sürdürülebilirlik raporu yayımlayan 40 şirket tespit edilmiş; sürdürülebilirlik bilgilerini yalnızca faaliyet raporu biçiminde sunanlar ve İngilizce olarak yazılanlar dışlanarak 26 şirketten oluşan nihai örneklem elde edilmiştir. 26 şirketin raporları çevresel, sosyal ve yönetişim (ESG) faktörleri çerçevesinde nitel içerik analizi yöntemiyle değerlendirilmiştir. Bulgular çevresel alanda enerji verimliliği (%92,31) ve yenilenebilir enerji kullanımı (%96,15) konularında güçlü bir raporlama eğilimi olduğunu ancak karbon ayak izi (%42,31) ve su kullanımı (%50) gibi ölçülebilir çevresel göstergelerin daha düşük oranda yer aldığını ortaya koymaktadır. Sosyal sürdürülebilirlikte iş sağlığı ve güvenliği ile sosyal sorumluluk öne çıkarken, toplumsal katkı yalnızca %26,92 oranında ele alınmıştır. Yönetişim boyutunda şeffaflık en yaygın tema olarak öne çıkmakta, ancak etik yönetim (%23,08), risk yönetimi (%19,23) ve yönetim kurulu yapısı (%34,62) gibi stratejik alanlar yetersiz temsil edilmektedir. Ayrıca altı raporda yönetişim konularına hiç yer verilmemiştir. Araştırma Türkiye’deki sanayi kuruluşlarının sürdürülebilirlik raporlamasında belirli bir kurumsal kapasite geliştirdiğini ancak özellikle yönetişim ve toplumsal etki boyutlarında gelişime ihtiyaç duyulduğunu ortaya koymaktadır.

🔖

Cite This Article

Karakulle, İ. (2025). Content analysis of ESG (environmental, social, and governance) factors in sustainability reports: a qualitative study on ISO 500 companies. Erciyes Üniversitesi İktisadi ve İdari Bilimler Fakültesi Dergisi, Sayı: 72, 251–260. https://doi.org/10.18070/erciyesiibd.1798562

📄 Full Text PDF Viewer

📄

PDF görüntüleyici hazırlanıyor...

References (53)

  1. Ahmad, H., Yaqub, M., & Lee, S. H. (2024). Environmental, social and governance related factors for business investment and sustainability: A scientometric review of global trends. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 26(2), 2965–2987. https://doi. org/10.1007/s10668-023-02921-x
  2. Arora, A., & Sharma, D. (2022). Do environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance scores reduce the cost of debt? Evidence from Indian firms. Australasian Accounting, Business and Finance Journal, 16(5), 4–18. https://doi.org/10.14453/ aabfj.v16i5.02
  3. Atasel, O. Y., & Güneysu, Y. (2023). ESG performansı ile borç maliyeti arasındaki ilişki üzerine bir araştırma. Journal of Accounting and Taxation Studies, 16(2), 185–202. https://doi.org/10.29067/muvu.1196945
  4. Beşballı, S. G. (2023). Çevre sorunları çerçevesinde küresel iklim değişikliği. Artvin Çoruh Üniversitesi Uluslararası Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 9(2), 500–521. https://doi. org/10.22466/acusbd.1388179
  5. Birney, A., & Ashley, C. (2022). Framing the future as just and regenerative: Why and how. Forum for the Future. https://www.forumforthefuture.org/Handlers/Download. ashx?IDMF=bd5a824a-90bf-44e4-af17-42c383679bc0
  6. Carbon Disclosure Project. (2022). CDPclimate change, water, and forests frameworks.https://guidance.cdp.net/en/ guidance?cid=30&ctype=theme&cv=1&idtype=ThemeID&incchild=1&microsite= 0&otype=Guidance
  7. Cek, K., & Eyüpoğlu, Ş. (2020). Does environmental, social and governance performance influence economic performance? Journal of Business Economics and Management, 21(4), 1165–1184.https://doi.org/10.3846/jbem.2020.12725
  8. Chartered Financial Analyst Institute. (2024, March 4). What is ESG investing? https:// www.cfainstitute.org/insights/articles/what-is-esg-investing
  9. Clarkson, M. B. E. (1995). A stakeholder framework for analyzing and evaluating corporate social performance. The Academy of Management Review, 20(1), 92–117. https://doi. org/10.2307/258888
  10. Corbin, J., & Strauss, A. (2008). Basics of qualitative research: Techniques and procedures for developing grounded theory (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications.
  11. Çamlıca, Z. (2024). Tedarik zincirinde sürdürülebilirlik: BİST sürdürülebilirlik 25 endeksi şirketlerinde bir içerik analizi. Business Economics and Management Research Journal, 7(2), 105–121. https://doi.org/10.58308/bemarej.1520009
  12. Çetenak, E. H., Aytaç, A., & Yağlı, İ. (2023). Çevresel, sosyal ve kurumsal yönetişim (ESG) değerlerinin banka performansı üzerine etkisi: ABD bankaları örneği. Çukurova Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, 32(2), 424–434. https://doi. org/10.35379/cusosbil.1136191
  13. Eccles, R. G., Ioannou, I., & Serafeim, G. (2014). The impact of corporate sustainability on organizational processes and performance. Management Science, 60(11), 2835–2857. https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2014.1984
  14. European Commission. (2024). Corporate sustainability reporting. https://finance. ec.europa.eu/capital-markets-union-and-financial-markets/company-reporting-andauditing/company-reporting/corporate-sustainability-reporting_en
  15. Fiske, J. (2019). İletişim çalışmalarına giriş (S. İrvan, Çev.). Pharmakon Kitap. (Orijinal eser 1990’da yayınlandı)
  16. Garip, O., & Yılmaz, B. (2025). Kurumsal sürdürülebilirlik ve finansal performans: BİST sürdürülebilirlik endeksi üzerine bir uygulama. Selçuk Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, (57), 220–239. https://doi.org/10.52642/susbed.1622594
  17. Global Reporting Initiative. (2021a). GRI 413: Local communities. https://www. globalreporting.org/publications/documents/english/gri-1-foundation-2021/#12.
  18. Global Reporting Initiative. (2021b). GRI 2: General disclosures (governance). https:// www.globalreporting.org/publications/documents/english/gri-1-foundation-2021/#12.
  19. Global Reporting Initiative. (2021c). GRI 401-404: Labor practices series. https://www. globalreporting.org/publications/documents/english/gri-1-foundation-2021/#12.
  20. Global Reporting Initiative. (2021d). GRI universal standards. https://www.globalreporting. org/publications/documents/english/gri-1-foundation-2021/#12.
  21. International Organization for Standardization. (2018). ISO 14064-1: Greenhouse gases- Specification with guidance at the organization level. https://www.iso.org/ standard/66453.html.
  22. İstanbul Sanayi Odası. (2025). Türkiye’nin 500 büyük sanayi kuruluşu. https://www.iso500. org.tr/500-buyuk-sanayi-kurulusu?yil=2024
  23. Jones, M. J. (2010). Accounting for the environment: Towards a theoretical perspective for environmental accounting and reporting. Accounting Forum, 34(2), 123–138. https:// doi.org/10.1016/j.accfor.2010.03.001
  24. Kotsantonis, S., Pinney, C., & Serafeim, G. (2016). ESG integration in investment management: Myths and realities. Journal of Applied Corporate Finance, 28(2), 10– 16. https://doi.org/10.1111/jacf.12169
  25. Li, J., & Wu, D. (Andrew). (2020). Do corporate social responsibility engagements lead to real environmental, social, and governance impact? Management Science, 66(6), 2564–2588. https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2019.3324
  26. Madden, B. J. (2023). Bet on innovation, not environmental, social and governance metrics, to lead the net zero transition. Systems Research and Behavioral Science, 40(3), 417– 428. https://doi.org/10.1002/sres.2915
  27. Mooneeapen, O., Abhayawansa, S., & Mamode Khan, N. (2022). The influence of the country governance environment on corporate environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance. Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal, 13(4), 953–985. https://doi.org/10.1108/SAMPJ-07-2021-0298
  28. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. (2019). Public governance policy framework. https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/policy-framework-on-soundpublic-governance_c03e01b3-en.html.
  29. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. (2023). OECD guidelines for multinational enterprises on responsible business conduct. https://www.oecd.org/en/ publications/oecd-guidelines-for-multinational-enterprises-on-responsible-businessconduct_81f92357-en.html.
  30. Oral, C., & Geçdoğan, S. (2021). Kurumsal sürdürülebilirlik ölçümü için AHP ve TOPSIS yöntemlerinin kullanılması: Bankacılık sektörü üzerine bir uygulama. İşletme Araştırmaları Dergisi, 12(4), 4166–4183. https://isarder.org/index.php/isarder/article/ view/1276
  31. Ölmez, M. (2025). Üniversitelerin başarısında kurumsal yönetişim ve sürdürülebilirliğin rolü: Stratejik planların içerik analizi. Kafkas Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Enstitüsü Dergisi, (35), 265–293. https://doi.org/10.56597/kausbed.1585078
  32. Özsözgün Çalışkan, A. (2012). Sürdürülebilirlik raporlaması. Muhasebe ve Vergi Uygulamaları Dergisi, 5(1), 41–68. https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/muvu/article/866226
  33. Palinkas, L. A., Horwitz, S. M., Green, C. A., Wisdom, J. P., Duan, N., & Hoagwood, K. (2015). Purposeful sampling for qualitative data collection and analysis in mixed method implementation research. Administration and Policy in Mental Health, 42, 533–544. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-013-0528-y
  34. Patton, M. Q. (2015). Qualitative research & evaluation methods. Sage Publications.
  35. Perrini, F., & Tencati, A. (2006). Sustainability and stakeholder management: The need for new corporate performance evaluation and reporting systems. Business Strategy and the Environment, 15(5), 296–308. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.538
  36. Principles for Responsible Investment. (2021). Principles for responsible investment annual report. https://public.unpri.org/annual-report-2021/10242.article
  37. Schoenmaker, D., & Schramade, W. (2019). Principles of sustainable finance. Oxford University Press.
  38. Polat, A., & Yeşilyaprak, M. (2025). Sürdürülebilirlik kavramı, farklı tonları ve İslami sürdürülebilirlik. TYB Akademi Dil Edebiyat ve Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, 43, 65–85. https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/pub/tybakademi/article/1597083
  39. Rajesh, R. (2020). Exploring the sustainability performances of firms using environmental, social, and governance scores. Journal of Cleaner Production, 247, 119600. https://doi. org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.119600
  40. Sachs, J. D. (2012). From millennium development goals to sustainable development goals. The Lancet, 379(9832), 2206–2211. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(12)60685-0
  41. Schönborn, G., Berlin, C., Pinzone, M., Hanisch, H., Georgoulias, K., & Lanz, M. (2019). Why social sustainability counts: The impact of corporate social sustainability culture on financial success. Sustainable Production and Consumption, 17, 1–10. https://doi. org/10.1016/j.spc.2018.08.008
  42. Souza Barbosa, A., Silva, M. C. B. C., Silva, L. B., Morioka, S. N., & Souza, V. F. (2023). Integration of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria: Their impacts on corporate sustainability performance. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 10(1), 410. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-023-01919-0
  43. Sustainability Accounting Standards Board. (2020). Industry standards. https://sasb.ifrs.org/ standards/.
  44. Şeker, Y., & Şengür, E. (2022). Çevresel, sosyal ve kurumsal yönetim (ESG) performansı: Uluslararası bir araştırma. Journal of Accounting and Taxation Studies, 15(2), 349– 387. https://doi.org/10.29067/muvu.1066216
  45. Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures. (2017). Recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures. https://www.fsb-tcfd.org/ recommendations/
  46. Vanderbilt University. (2023). What is corporate sustainability? https://web.archive. org/web/20241125044844/https://business.vanderbilt.edu/corporate-sustainabilitycertificate/article/what-is-corporate-sustainability/
  47. Viranda, D. F., Sari, A. D., Suryoputro, M. R., & Setiawan, N. (2020). 5S implementation of SME readiness in meeting environmental management system standards based on ISO 14001:2015 (study case: PT. ABC). IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 722(1), 012072. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/722/1/012072
  48. Wang, S., Li, J., & Zhao, D. (2018). Institutional pressures and environmental management practices: The moderating effects of environmental commitment and resource availability. Business Strategy and the Environment, 27(1), 52–69. https://doi. org/10.1002/bse.1983
  49. Wilson, M. (2003, March/April). Corporate sustainability: What is it and where does it come from? Ivey Business Journal, 67(6), 1–5.
  50. World Economic Forum. (2024). The global risks report 2024. https://www.weforum.org/ publications/global-risks-report-2024/
  51. Yıldız, F., Dayı, F., Yücel, M., & Çilesiz, A. (2024). The impact of ESG criteria on firm value: A strategic analysis of the airline industry. Sustainability, 16(19), 8300. https:// doi.org/10.3390/su16198300
  52. Yücel, M., Yanık, G., Dayı, F., & Benek, A. (2025). Strategic management of environmental, social, and governance scores and corporate governance index: A panel data analysis of firm value on the Istanbul Stock Exchange. Sustainability, 17(11), 4971. https://doi. org/10.3390/su17114971
  53. Yücel, M., & Yücel, S. (2024). Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) dynamics in the energy sector: Strategic approaches for sustainable development. Energies, 17(24), 629. https://doi.org/10.3390/en17246291