Transparency by Design: How Social Media Platforms Shape Corporate Accountability Practices in Kenya
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54536/ajise.v5i1.6976Keywords:
Corporate Accountability, Digital Governance, Information Access, Kenya, Social Media Platforms, Transparency By DesignAbstract
The emergence of social media platforms has transformed how corporations disclose information, engage stakeholders, and demonstrate accountability. This study examines how social media platforms shape corporate accountability practices in Kenya through enhanced transparency, real-time communication, and participatory information-sharing. Guided by Stakeholder Theory and the Transparency by Design perspective, the research adopts a mixed-methods approach involving document analysis, interviews with corporate communication officers, and an online survey targeting Kenyan social media users. Results show that social media platforms promote proactive disclosure, accelerate corporate responsiveness, and strengthen oversight from consumers, civil society, and regulators. However, challenges persist, including selective disclosure, misinformation risks, inadequate regulatory frameworks, and varying digital literacy levels. The study concludes that while social media has become a powerful accountability infrastructure, its effectiveness depends on corporate culture, platform governance, and stakeholder empowerment. Recommendations include strengthening digital transparency policies, improving corporate social media governance, and developing national guidelines for responsible online disclosure.
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