e-ISSN 2518-1181
DOI 10.33146/2518-1181
Online Media ID R40-06293
← Back Published: 30.03.2026

Narcissistic Texts and Innocent Photos in Environmental Disclosures by Green PROPER Companies

Authors

Sri Pujiningsih State University of Malang, Malang, Indonesia ORCID 0000-0002-7726-355X
Helianti Utami State University of Malang, Malang, Indonesia ORCID 0000-0002-3414-4788
Novi Trisnawati State University of Malang, Malang, Indonesia ORCID 0009-0008-7711-6235

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33146/2518-1181-2026-1(111)-45-56

Abstract

Today, companies use various sustainability disclosure strategies to enhance their reputation and legitimacy in the eyes of society. Previous research found that companies with strong environmental performance use impression management tactics and narcissism to mask their poor performance. This study aims to analyze the narratives and visuals of environmental disclosures by companies with strong environmental performance through the lens of narcissism and impression management theories. This study chose a semiotic approach to answer the research questions. The data comprised annual/sustainability reports from 119 companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) in 2021, classified as Green PROPER companies across 33 industrial sectors. Data analysis involved two stages: the first was narrative analysis, and the second was visual analysis of images/photos. The results indicate that companies use narcissistic strategies of self-praise, regulatory compliance, and award achievements in their environmental narrative disclosures. The textual narrative of destructive narcissism involves self-praise, while constructive narcissism involves achieving awards and complying with regulations and laws. Meanwhile, in the visualization of environmental disclosures, they use a more selective strategy, choosing many images of people who convey an impression of innocence over others. This strategy is used to enhance the positive image and legitimacy of environmentally friendly companies. The simultaneous use of narcissistic and impression-management strategies in environmental disclosures by PROPER companies is a novel finding of this study. This study provides empirical evidence that companies with good environmental performance use both narrative and visual impression management strategies in their sustainability disclosures. Additionally, this research contributes to enriching psychological and semiotic theories in understanding corporate non-financial information.

Keywords

impression management, narcissism, environmental disclosure, legitimacy, visual data, narrative disclosure, Indonesia
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