Tech-driven environmental accounting for sustainable financial reporting: insights from emerging markets through an institutional theoretical lens

This chapter explores the critical role of technology in enhancing environmental accounting practices within emerging markets. Also, it examines the influence of institutional forces; regulatory mandates, normative pressures, and mimetic processes on the adoption of environmental accounting, highlighting the interplay between compliance, innovation, and organisational behaviour within this region. Despite the potential of advanced technologies such as big data analytics, Blockchain, Internet of Things, and cloud computing to improve environmental data accuracy, transparency, and efficiency, this chapter finds that formidable challenges persist. These hurdles encompass resource limitations, regulatory uncertainty, and the heterogeneous cultural perspectives on sustainability. Thus, by employing institutional theory as a theoretical lens, this chapter offers invaluable insights into how stakeholders can adeptly navigate these challenges to promote sustainable business practices, sustainable financial reporting, and improve environmental accountability. The chapter also highlights areas that require further research, particularly areas that scholars and practitioners can advance environmental accounting and sustainability financial reporting in emerging markets, and contribute to greater transparency, accountability, and sustainable development in this context.