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The Connectivity of Information in Integrated Reporting. Empirical Evidence from International Context

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  • Alberto Incollingo
  • Michela Bianchi

Abstract

In recent years, an increasing number of accounting scholars have been investigating the concept and the purpose of integrated reporting. After the issue of IIRC Framework, which is principle-based, it is now recognized that there is an urgent need for empirical analysis of the content of the reports at their first development stage. This in order to understand if the aims of this new reporting approach are realistic and achievable in practice. This paper responds to such call and it tries to contribute in two ways. Firstly, it illustrates the way in which the Guiding Principle of Connectivity of Information is applied at international level. In particular, we analyzed the compliance of disclosure practices in integrated reports of 2013 with the key forms of Connectivity of information presented in the Framework. Secondly, the paper tries to interpret the practices observed, in order to identify useful implementation criteria of this Guiding Principle. This is light of the fact that the Guiding Principle was noted as the most important to obtain a truly integrated report, but, at the same time, difficult to interpret and problematic to apply. The results of the analysis indicate an application of the principle extremely heterogeneous (and in such cases disappointing), confirming the need to establish practical guidelines to apply it. By this study, we made a preliminary attempt to identify some characteristic attributes of Connectivity of information within integrated reporting. The findings carry implications for eventual refinement of the IIRC Framework and, especially, to support companies wishing to prepare an integrated report.

Suggested Citation

  • Alberto Incollingo & Michela Bianchi, 2016. "The Connectivity of Information in Integrated Reporting. Empirical Evidence from International Context," FINANCIAL REPORTING, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2016(2), pages 55-78.
    • Handle: RePEc:fan:frfrfr:v:html10.3280/fr2016-002003
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    2. Francesco Badia & Grazia Dicuonzo & Saverio Petruzzelli & Vittorio Dell’Atti, 2019. "Integrated reporting in action: mobilizing intellectual capital to improve management and governance practices," Journal of Management & Governance, Springer;Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA), vol. 23(2), pages 299-320, June.
    3. Giuseppe Nicol? & Gianluca Zanellato & Francesca Manes-Rossi & Adriana Tiron-Tudor, 2019. "Beyond Financial Reporting. Integrated Reporting and its determinants: Evidence from the context of European state-owned enterprises," FINANCIAL REPORTING, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2019(2), pages 43-72.
    4. Francesca Manes-Rossi & Adriana Tiron-Tudor & Giuseppe Nicolò & Gianluca Zanellato, 2018. "Ensuring More Sustainable Reporting in Europe Using Non-Financial Disclosure—De Facto and De Jure Evidence," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-20, April.
    5. Serena Santis & Michela Bianchi & Alberto Incollingo & Marco Bisogno, 2018. "Disclosure of Intellectual Capital Components in Integrated Reporting: An Empirical Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-15, December.
    6. Tiron-Tudor Adriana & Jula Octavian & Martin Diana Lavinia & Zanellato Gianluca, 2019. "Integrated Reporting Framework Application: A European Case Study in the Financial Sector," Proceedings of the International Conference on Business Excellence, Sciendo, vol. 13(1), pages 227-240, May.

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