1. What is corporate social and environment accounting (SEA)?

Corporate social and environment accounting is a constraint upon socially undesirable behavior. It is a motivation for reporting entities to be environmentally responsible and it is a mechanism to provide a fuller view o Corporate social and environment accounting is the process of communicating the social and environmental effects of organizations' economic actions to particular interest groups within society and to society at large.
In the Social and Environmental Accounting (SEA) literature and in public practice such reports are referred to by a number of different names including Sustainability Reports, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Reports, Corporate Social Disclosure (CSD) Reports, Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Reports, Corporate Responsibility Reports, Triple Bottom Line (TBL) Reports, and a range of others. Over time there have been many studies in the Social and Environmental Accounting (SEA) literature offering views and arguments on the importance of corporations reporting on their adherence to the environmental, social and governance (ESG) expectations of the communities within which they operate.

Social accounting has been, and is, growing rapidly and the extant SEA literature encompasses a broad landscape of differing theoretical viewpoints and methodological approaches (Mathews 1997, Parker 2005, Owen 2008). Parker described the growing SEA literature as being voluminous, disparate, (and) eclectic and, whilst acknowledging the disciplines lack of a common philosophy, argued that the movement may actually draw strength from the use of multiple methodologies and a variety of theoretical frameworks. Given the non-homogenous nature of SEA research and researchers, defining SEA and its boundaries is somewhat problematic. Gray described the field as being primarily concerned with examining and encouraging the emergence of new accountings accountings which supplant, complement or challenge the more conventional accountings but in a manner which responds to, even (ideally) resonates with, the concerns and occupations of alternative/critical theorizing. Whilst it is certain that researchers involved in the SEA arena are non-homogenous, it is reasonable to assert that most researchers engaged in SEA share a subjective bias for change. SEA as a discipline predicated on engagement with practice, which gets its hands dirty and is, consequently, partially mired in

the impurities of pragmatism . A growing body of studies focusing on social and environmental accounting within the context of a developing country few studies have examined whether accountants in developing countries played a role in developing corporate social and environmental reporting practices. Existing evidence suggests that accountants in developing countries are uncommitted or unattached when dealing with corporate social and environmental accounting issues. Such apathy is attributed to national or cultural factors such as a lack of awareness, an absence of state regulation, or a lack of initiative(s) from national accounting bodies. Strategies that may engage indigenous accountants more fully in the change process include targeted training, the imposition of government regulation, and the participation of environmentally concerned representatives in the national accounting standards regulatory boards. Consequently, being responsive to external demands and expectations to maintain legitimacy is an underlying assumption of institutional theory. The process of legitimating is not only strategic (i.e. within managements control), but also institutional in nature. DiMaggio and Powell (1983) argue that an organizational response is not derived from the imperative to make organizations more efficient, but rather driven by the desire to make them conform to expectations in their organizational field. DiMaggio and Powell contend that neo-institutional theory is focused on. it may be argued that a critical approach is adopted by most (if not all) social accountants who engage in the SEA project, subjectively (and unashamedly) seeking changes to social and environmental outcomes. Regardless, the tension within the SEA academy between idealism on the one hand and realism, pragmatism and compromise on the other is very real (Ball & Milne 2007). It is argued by both Owen and Gray that, to move forward, SEA must be positioned between the radical and managerial approaches. However, in doing so, Owen acknowledges the troubled relationship between what he terms mainstream social and environmental accounting and critical accounting research. A common theme, which resonates clearly from the reflective reviews of the SEA literature, is the level of angst and dissatisfaction with the progress and impact being made by social accounting (Ball & Milne 2007). To sense the frustration one only needs to look at the titles of some of those review articles, such as Owen Chronicles of wasted time and Ball and Milne Talking to Ourselves? The intellectual and activist failure of social accountants and what to do about it. The frustration occurs because SEA researchers and activists are committed to

emancipator change and to improving social and environmental outcomes and are disappointed with the slow pace of change being achieved.

2. Describe the present scenario of SEA practiced in Bangladesh:

Purpose The aim of this study is to elicit accountants' perceptions regarding corporate social and environmental accounting and reporting practices in a developing country such as Bangladesh. Design/methodology/approach Members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB) were surveyed to determine their perceptions on issues pertaining to social and environmental accounting and reporting practices in Bangladesh. Findings Whilst the findings show that accountants have positive attitudes toward corporate social and environmental accounting, progress is limited, with the absence of ICAB in making any noticeable effort to develop such practices. Research implications Unlike prior studies, the implications of this study suggest that without international influence, it is less likely that institutional forces in Bangladesh (ICAB and the government) would be effective in dealing with social and environmental accounting and reporting issues. Originality/value While prior studies advocate proactive roles of the accounting profession, this study argues that proactive roles are less likely to prevail in the context of Bangladesh without direct intervention from institutional and regulatory authorities in the international arena.

A study by Islam and deegan (2008) investigated the operating reporting practiced by a major origination the Bangladesh Garments manufacturers and Exporters Association ( BGMEA). The finding indicates that disclosures on responsibility initiatives or policies were implemented to

satisfy external stakeholders including representatives of US and EU governments, international labor organization. A search was undertaken of the archives on ICAB`s policies and procedure and exchange commission (SEC). This search proved unsuccessful in obtaining data is irrelevant to the study. But The president of ICAB is well informed to the corporate social and environment practice and he informed about corporate annual report award in Bangladesh. Accountants in developing country appear to be less reactive in creating change in their practices. Some respondents were asked whether certain values and behavior lead to senior management being secretive, resulting in less or an absence of social and environmental disclosure in publicly listed companies. Although the major accounting bodies and on inquiry all related parties seemed to know about such social accounting practices but the implementation in reality in Bangladesh is really low. Accountants in Bangladesh do not impose a great influence of corporate social responsibilities and nor in their publications. Although the organizations and accounting regulatory bodies are busy maintaining the International Accounting Standard (IAS), they seem less interested to follow through on the social approaches regarding accounting. Lack of authoritative pressure can be seen as a major reason for the lack of presence of social accounting practices in Bangladesh. Hofstede (1980) said high levels of social inequality and power differential prevail in countries of the Indian subcontinent, including Bangladesh. Senior officials mainly being part of family owners seems to be reluctant in involving in such transparent social activities. Although accounting professionals acknowledge the social importance of such practices but they also term the lack of pressure from legal authorities as a major reason for its absence in the Bangladesh scenario. ICAB is the major accounting body in Bangladesh and until they take on major steps in implementing social accounting we can be lacking a few more years before it gets its position in the accounting process in Bangladesh. Although the government enforced the accounting bodies to take up IAS to standardize financial practices but the social accounting scenario is unlikely to change unless the authorities concerned are going to take up the process.

It is not uncommon for company to prepare and present financial reports with representation that favor important stakeholders such as creditors, SEC. The findings suggest that members have positive attitude towards social and environmental accounting but progress is limited. Changes in social and environmental accounting in Bangladesh appear to be evolutionary rather than revolutionary and more likely to occur through reactive measures from the globalization of accounting. In absence of international or institutional pressure, local factors are likely to dominate organizational practices and accounting reporting in Bangladesh. The development of social and environmental reporting practices in Bangladesh is a logical extension of international expansionary practices. Bangladesh government demonstrated its willingness to pressure the accounting profession with adoption of applicable IAS to standardize financial reporting and remove barriers to capital flows associated with multilateral lending and donor. Accounting practice is unlikely to change until the profession in developed countries influence changes through their professional and regulatory network. Existing evidence also suggest that developing country as Bangladesh is uncommitted or unattached with dealing with corporate social and environmental accounting issues.

5. Provide your opinion to improve the corporate social and environmental disclosure in Bangladesh? Also mention the lacking or problems in Bangladesh market regarding this issue:
Mir and Rahaman (2005) focused on the adoption of international accounting standards (IASs) in Bangladesh. ICAB should come up with proper adoption of ISA related to social and

environmental disclosures. And also they should be given power by government so that they can influence properly on company. Company should prepare their annual and other report with considering social and environmental disclosures. Training program can be arranged for accountant. Government should impose regulation that favor corporate social and environment accounting and reporting. Participation of environmentally concerned representatives in the national accounting standards regulatory board should be increased. Lots of company who has business relation with other country like U.S.A., E.U. country do report corporate social and environment accounting, but they do it for the pressure from those country as a result the quality or the objective of corporate social and environment accounting is not gained. Possible proactive role rather than reactive role can be focused to embrace corporate social and environment accounting. The absence of involvement can be attributed to lack of expertise in social and environmental matters. Also lack of regulation on mandatory environmental accounting practice. Lack of awareness among accountant in developing country is also significant. Also lack of pressure from the international arena on local accounting bodies and regulation agencies are major factor contributing to lack of development of social and environmental practices in Bangladesh.