Financial Reporting to Global Sustainability: The Path to Integration into Social and Environmental Accounting

Objectives: Sustainability accounting involves evaluating, measuring, and reporting the environmental, social, and economic impacts of organizational activities. In this context, the present study aims to investigate the integration of sustainability principles within the accounting methods of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with particular attention to the challenges faced in emerging markets and the requirements of multinational companies. Methodology/Design/Approach: This study adopts a review-based research design and presents its analysis through a systematic examination of theoretical foundations and prior empirical studies related to sustainability accounting and reporting practices. Findings: The study indicates that small firms in emerging markets encounter substantial challenges in implementing sustainability performance practices due to economic instability, limited resources, and insufficient legal protection. Additionally, multinational companies face difficulties arising from the lack of harmonized global sustainability reporting standards, which undermines the consistency and comparability of sustainability disclosures across borders. The findings underscore the necessity of tailored support mechanisms for SMEs and highlight the importance of advancing global standardization in sustainability reporting. Innovation: This study contributes to the literature by addressing relatively underexplored areas of sustainability performance research, particularly in the context of SMEs and emerging economies. Moreover, it offers practical insights for policymakers and business leaders aimed at enhancing the adoption of sustainability accounting practices and emphasizes the need for coherent sustainability reporting frameworks to strengthen transparency and accountability in global business activities.