CSR in a controversial industry: the case of Malaysian oil palm companies

This paper examines the CSR engagements of listed companies in a controversial industry namely the palm oil production industry in Malaysia. The study employs content analysis method to identify and describe CSR activities reported by the companies in their 2014 annual reports. While there remains considerable variability in the reporting practices and levels of CSR disclosures, the majority of palm oil companies report extensively on environmental-related information. The second most disclosed CSR information is on workplace CSR activities, followed by the community and marketplace CSR-related information. These findings show that the majority of palm oil companies appear to heed the call of stakeholders to minimise the negative social and environmental impacts of their operations by focusing on sustainable agricultural and workplace best practices within their CSR programs.