Objective: The objective of this study is to identify, classify, and prioritize the stakeholders of sustainability reporting and their diverse expectations within the Iranian banking system, in order to provide an effective framework for enhancing transparency, accountability, and sustainable performance in banks by clarifying the relative importance of these expectations.
Method: The research adopts a mixed-methods approach. In the first phase, stakeholders involved in sustainability reporting within Iran's banking sector were identified through content analysis of international banks' sustainability reports and expert interviews. In the second phase, using a structured questionnaire and the application of the BWM technique, the stakeholders and their respective demands were prioritized.
Results: The results indicate that among all stakeholders in sustainability reporting, the government and the Central Bank hold the highest priority, whereas the environment, universities, and educational institutions were ranked lowest in terms of importance. Stakeholder demands were identified as transparency, fairness, adherence to reporting standards, and the provision of services in accordance with Islamic principles. The relative and final importance weights for each demand were also determined.
Conclusions: The findings of the study indicate that addressing the expectations of stakeholders—particularly the government and the central bank—is essential for improving performance, enhancing transparency and accountability, and achieving sustainability within the Iranian banking system. This, in turn, lays the foundation for the development of more effective policies and greater satisfaction among key stakeholders.