Institutional Logics and Stakeholder Stances on Sustainability Reporting Regulation. Insights From the European Union Public Consultation

This study examines how market and nonmarket logics influence the European sustainability reporting regulation revision. Drawing on institutional logics, we analyse the consultation that informed the Directive 2014/95/EU (NFRD) to Directive 2022/2464/EU (CSRD) shift. We performed correspondence analysis of closed-ended and close reading of open-ended responses to explore contrasting stakeholder stances and whether these reflect competing logics. We found that business representatives (organisations and associations) are more conservative than nonbusiness (e.g., NGOs and citizens) on the proposed revisions due to market logics adherence. Furthermore, the CSRD regulatory stance aligns more with progressives, pushing conservatives towards reporting requirements they perceive as risky. This study contributes to the institutional logics and sustainability reporting literature, extending it to the regulation phenomenon. It provides theoretical insights on the competing logics roots of dissatisfaction with regulated sustainability reporting. It advocates for a regulatory design fostering dialogue and helping organisations develop capabilities for effective compliance.