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What’s wrong with integrated reporting? A systematic review

Author

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  • Josua Oll

    (University of Hamburg)

  • Sabrina Rommerskirchen

    (University of Hamburg)

Abstract

Integrated reporting, the latest attempt to overcome the shortcomings of financial and sustainability reporting, has fast emerged as a new accounting practice. Recently, however, the integrated reporting movement has lost some of its momentum and is increasingly the subject of heated debate and controversy. In the related academic discourse, numerous scholars have started to question and challenge this new reporting trend from diverse angles. Against this backdrop, the present article reviews the current state of the academic literature to identify the major lines of criticism. Our findings show that the central critique relates to the fundamental concepts and guiding principles of the integrated reporting framework as well as to the International Integrated Reporting Council itself. By carving out the pivotal problem areas of integrated reporting, we identify critical issues that likely need to be addressed before integrated reporting can be expected to stand the test of time. We further identify three priority areas of criticism and discuss the attribution of responsibilities as well as approaches that offer potential solutions within these areas. Practitioners are invited to build upon our findings as potential intervention points for promoting the future acceptance and dissemination of integrated reports.

Suggested Citation

  • Josua Oll & Sabrina Rommerskirchen, 2018. "What’s wrong with integrated reporting? A systematic review," NachhaltigkeitsManagementForum | Sustainability Management Forum, Springer, vol. 26(1), pages 19-34, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:sumafo:v:26:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1007_s00550-018-0475-x
    DOI: 10.1007/s00550-018-0475-x
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    2. Mahalaxmi Adhikariparajuli & Abeer Hassan & Benedetta Siboni, 2021. "CSR Implication and Disclosure in Higher Education: Uncovered Points. Results from a Systematic Literature Review and Agenda for Future Research," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-23, January.
    3. Kelli Juliane Favato & Marguit Neumann & Simone Leticia Raimundini Sanches & Manuel Castelo Branco & Daniel Ramos Nogueira, 2021. "Integrated Thinking and Reporting Process: Sensemaking of Internal Actors in the Case of Itaú Unibanco," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-16, June.
    4. Andreas Errikos Delegkos & Michalis Skordoulis & Petros Kalantonis & Aggelia Xanthopoulou, 2022. "Integrated Reporting and Value Relevance in the Energy Sector: The Case of European Listed Firms," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-13, November.

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