Broadening the scope of instrumental motivations for CSR disclosure: an illustration for agroholdings in transition economies

Large firms operating in underdeveloped institutional environments of transition economies tend to invest seemingly unrewarded corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. To explain this phenomenon, we extend the literature on motives behind CSR disclosure agribusiness from perspective organizational legitimacy. The thesis is that self-interest rationales for disclosure, as advocated by strategic-legitimacy perspective, fall short explaining full scope instrumental motivations proactive and excessive transparency initiatives companies. Using example internationally listed Ukrainian agroholdings, show faced with institutions do not appropriately support access market transactions only adapt fluctuations business environment but also proactively address key bottlenecks engaging higher nonmarket case study analysis voluntary four agroholdings conducted based in-depth interviews managers complemented information reports websites. This offers insights into development farming its economic repercussions Ukraine and, more generally, expanding concept itself.