Enhancing risk-related disclosure in South Africa: a study on guidelines and current practices

Abstract

Investors partake in the risk of a company, in expectation of a return on investment which is in accordance with the company’s risk profile. Due to recent corporate failures, which are partly attributable to insufficient risk management, a call by investors for enhanced risk-related disclosure resulted in the publication of various international standards and guidelines on best practices for risk disclosure. This study compiled a disclosure index from these standards and guidelines in order to serve as a disclosure-enhancing tool for the management of South African companies. This index was subsequently used to investigate current practices exhibited by top listed companies in South Africa. Disclosure practices by these companies indicate that there is scope for improvement in risk- and risk-management-related disclosure by these companies.