In recent years, CSR disclosures have increased exponentially. The genre combines informative and promotional purposes, data and reputation-building. Through a corpus-assisted discourse analysis of CSR reports issued by energy companies, this study tries to unveil how words are non-neutrally used to construct discourses and views and increase profitability. The paper focuses on verbal markers of forward-looking statements, elements conveying modality and authorial stance, in order to investigate their contribution to the creation of an ethical image. The analysis highlighted that self-promotion is enacted through mainly optimistic projections, stressing a constant commitment and communicating an already optimal performance, while relativising risks.

“We May Face the Risks” … “Risks that Could Adversely Affect our Face.” A Corpus-Assisted Discourse Analysis of Modality Markers in CSR Reports

Aiezza, Maria Cristina
2015-01-01

Abstract

In recent years, CSR disclosures have increased exponentially. The genre combines informative and promotional purposes, data and reputation-building. Through a corpus-assisted discourse analysis of CSR reports issued by energy companies, this study tries to unveil how words are non-neutrally used to construct discourses and views and increase profitability. The paper focuses on verbal markers of forward-looking statements, elements conveying modality and authorial stance, in order to investigate their contribution to the creation of an ethical image. The analysis highlighted that self-promotion is enacted through mainly optimistic projections, stressing a constant commitment and communicating an already optimal performance, while relativising risks.
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Descrizione: “We May Face the Risks” … “Risks that Could Adversely Affect our Face.” A Corpus-Assisted Discourse Analysis of Modality Markers in CSR Reports
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11574/208658
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