Making the Invisible Visible: Exploring the Drivers and Outcomes of Human Rights Reporting in Latin America
Business Strategy and the Environment
Published online on August 04, 2026
Abstract
["Business Strategy and the Environment, EarlyView. ", "\nABSTRACT\nHuman rights disclosure is increasingly vital for corporate sustainability, particularly in Latin America, where labor abuses, inequality, and weak enforcement remain prevalent. This study investigates the drivers and outcomes of such disclosure in 416 large firms across the region. Drawing on agency theory and expectancy violation theory, we examine whether governance characteristics foster transparency and shape organizational outcomes. Employing a mixed‐method design, we combine panel data regression to capture linear effects with fuzzy‐set qualitative comparative analysis to explore causal complexity. Results indicate that board diversity and independence significantly enhance human rights disclosure, which in turn improves corporate reputation and market value. By making visible human rights practices, disclosure not only strengthens accountability but also yields reputational and financial benefits. This research contributes to the literature on transparency in emerging markets and informs policymaking to promote responsible corporate conduct.\n"]