IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/wly/sustdv/v31y2023i3p1668-1680.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Can the innovation in sustainability disclosures reflect organisational sustainable development? An integrated reporting perspective from China

Author

Listed:
  • Yanqi Sun

Abstract

Integrated reporting (IR) represents the newest development of organisational reporting approach. Although IR approach is gaining momentum globally, its relevance in decision‐making for stakeholders is experiencing ongoing debate. Studies on the relationship between IR practices and organisations' sustainable development are scarce. Using a sample of Chinese listed firms between 2006 and 2019, this article examines the association between IR practices (the integration level of sustainability disclosures) and firms' sustainability performance excellence. We provide strong empirical evidence showing that higher IR practices can offer a positive signal about firms' excellent sustainability performance. Firms tend to signal their excellent sustainability performance in the aspects of social service, environment protection and product quality by increasing their IR practices, which is consistent with the argumentation of signalling theory. Our findings are robust to a number of sensitivity analyses. The empirical evidence of this study enhances stakeholders' confidence in IR as an approach to disclosing a company's sustainability information.

Suggested Citation

  • Yanqi Sun, 2023. "Can the innovation in sustainability disclosures reflect organisational sustainable development? An integrated reporting perspective from China," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 31(3), pages 1668-1680, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:sustdv:v:31:y:2023:i:3:p:1668-1680
    DOI: 10.1002/sd.2475
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.2475
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1002/sd.2475?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Maria Aluchna & Nazim Hussain & Maria Roszkowska-Menkes, 2019. "Integrated Reporting Narratives: The Case of an Industry Leader," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-16, February.
    2. Pei‐Chi Kelly Hsiao & Charl de Villiers & Claire Horner & Hein Oosthuizen, 2022. "A review and synthesis of contemporary sustainability accounting research and the development of a research agenda," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 62(4), pages 4453-4483, December.
    3. Josette Caruana & Ian Grech, 2019. "Tweaking public sector reporting with integrated reporting (IR) concepts," Public Money & Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 39(6), pages 409-417, August.
    4. Filippo Vitolla & Nicola Raimo & Michele Rubino, 2020. "Board characteristics and integrated reporting quality: an agency theory perspective," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 27(2), pages 1152-1163, March.
    5. José V. Frias‐Aceituno & Lázaro Rodríguez‐Ariza & Isabel M. Garcia‐Sánchez, 2014. "Explanatory Factors of Integrated Sustainability and Financial Reporting," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 23(1), pages 56-72, January.
    6. Waris Ali & Jedrzej George Frynas & Zeeshan Mahmood, 2017. "Determinants of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Disclosure in Developed and Developing Countries: A Literature Review," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 24(4), pages 273-294, July.
    7. Antonella Silvestri & Stefania Veltri & Andrea Venturelli & Saverio Petruzzelli, 2017. "A research template to evaluate the degree of accountability of integrated reporting: a case study," Meditari Accountancy Research, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 25(4), pages 675-704, October.
    8. Abeer Hassan & Mahalaximi Adhikariparajuli & Mary Fletcher & Ahmed Elamer, 2019. "Integrated reporting in UK higher education institutions," Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 10(5), pages 844-876, October.
    9. Luo, Le & Tang, Qingliang, 2014. "Does voluntary carbon disclosure reflect underlying carbon performance?," Journal of Contemporary Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 10(3), pages 191-205.
    10. repec:eme:maj000:maj-10-2015-1253 is not listed on IDEAS
    11. Warwick Stent & Tuyana Dowler, 2015. "Early assessments of the gap between integrated reporting and current corporate reporting," Meditari Accountancy Research, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 23(1), pages 92-117, April.
    12. Filippo Vitolla & Nicola Raimo & Michele Rubino & Antonello Garzoni, 2019. "The impact of national culture on integrated reporting quality. A stakeholder theory approach," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(8), pages 1558-1571, December.
    13. Patrick Velte, 2022. "Does sustainable corporate governance have an impact on materiality disclosure quality in integrated reporting? International evidence," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 30(6), pages 1655-1670, December.
    14. Filippo Vitolla & Nicola Raimo & Michele Rubino, 2019. "Appreciations, criticisms, determinants, and effects of integrated reporting: A systematic literature review," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 26(2), pages 518-528, March.
    15. Abdoulmohammad Gholamzadeh Chofreh & Feybi Ariani Goni, 2017. "Review of Frameworks for Sustainability Implementation," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 25(3), pages 180-188, May.
    16. Stefania Veltri & Antonella Silvestri, 2020. "The value relevance of corporate financial and nonfinancial information provided by the integrated report: A systematic review," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(8), pages 3038-3054, December.
    17. Nicola Raimo & Filippo Vitolla & Arcangelo Marrone & Michele Rubino, 2020. "The role of ownership structure in integrated reporting policies," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(6), pages 2238-2250, September.
    18. Shan Zhou & Roger Simnett & Wendy Green, 2017. "Does Integrated Reporting Matter to the Capital Market?," Abacus, Accounting Foundation, University of Sydney, vol. 53(1), pages 94-132, March.
    19. Abeer Hassan & Mahalaximi Adhikariparajuli & Mary Fletcher & Ahmed Elamer, 2019. "Integrated reporting in UK higher education institutions," Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 10(5), pages 844-876, October.
    20. Yasir Shahab & Chengang Ye, 2018. "Corporate social responsibility disclosure and corporate governance: empirical insights on neo-institutional framework from China," International Journal of Disclosure and Governance, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 15(2), pages 87-103, May.
    21. Vincent G. Whitelock, 2019. "Multidimensional environmental social governance sustainability framework: Integration, using a purchasing, operations, and supply chain management context," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 27(5), pages 923-931, September.
    22. Salaheldin Hamad & Muhammad Umar Draz & Fong-Woon Lai, 2020. "The Impact of Corporate Governance and Sustainability Reporting on Integrated Reporting: A Conceptual Framework," SAGE Open, , vol. 10(2), pages 21582440209, June.
    23. Charl de Villiers & Elmar R. Venter & Pei†Chi Kelly Hsiao, 2017. "Integrated reporting: background, measurement issues, approaches and an agenda for future research," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 57(4), pages 937-959, December.
    24. Huda Tariq Abdulrahman Albetairi & Gagan Kukreja & Allam Hamdan, 2018. "Integrated Reporting and Financial Performance: Empirical Evidences from Bahraini Listed Insurance Companies," Accounting and Finance Research, Sciedu Press, vol. 7(3), pages 102-102, August.
    25. Isabel-Maria Garcia-Sanchez & Nicola Raimo & Filippo Vitolla, 2020. "CEO power and integrated reporting," Meditari Accountancy Research, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 29(4), pages 908-942, October.
    26. Mohamed Omran & Dinesh Ramdhony & Oren Mooneeapen & Vishaka Nursimloo, 2021. "Integrated reporting and board characteristics: evidence from top Australian listed companies," Journal of Applied Accounting Research, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 22(4), pages 732-758, May.
    27. Salaheldin Hamad & Fong‐Woon Lai & Muhammad Kashif Shad & Zdeňka Konečná & Feybi Ariani Goni & Abdoulmohammad Gholamzadeh Chofreh & Jiří Jaromír Klemeš, 2022. "Corporate governance code and voluntary disclosure of integrated reporting: Evidence from an emerging economy," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 30(6), pages 1497-1510, December.
    28. Al-Tuwaijri, Sulaiman A. & Christensen, Theodore E. & Hughes, K. II, 2004. "The relations among environmental disclosure, environmental performance, and economic performance: a simultaneous equations approach," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 29(5-6), pages 447-471.
    29. Yuzuka Nakajima & Yushi Inaba, 2021. "Stock market reactions to voluntary integrated reporting," Journal of Financial Reporting and Accounting, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 20(3/4), pages 516-541, July.
    30. Judy Oliver & Gillian Vesty & Albie Brooks, 2016. "Conceptualising integrated thinking in practice," Managerial Auditing Journal, Emerald Group Publishing, vol. 31(2), pages 228-248, February.
    31. Christian Danisch, 2021. "The Relationship of CSR Performance and Voluntary CSR Disclosure Extent in the German DAX Indices," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-20, April.
    32. Clarkson, Peter M. & Li, Yue & Richardson, Gordon D. & Vasvari, Florin P., 2008. "Revisiting the relation between environmental performance and environmental disclosure: An empirical analysis," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 33(4-5), pages 303-327.
    33. Igor Álvarez Etxeberria & Eduardo Ortas & Stefan Schaltegger & Stefan Schaltegger & Igor Álvarez Etxeberria & Eduardo Ortas, 2017. "Innovating Corporate Accounting and Reporting for Sustainability – Attributes and Challenges," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 25(2), pages 113-122, March.
    34. Filippo Vitolla & Nicola Raimo & Michele Rubino & Antonello Garzoni, 2019. "How pressure from stakeholders affects integrated reporting quality," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 26(6), pages 1591-1606, November.
    35. Laura Girella & Paola Rossi & Stefano Zambon, 2019. "Exploring the firm and country determinants of the voluntary adoption of integrated reporting," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(7), pages 1323-1340, November.
    36. Judy Oliver & Gillian Vesty & Albie Brooks, 2016. "Conceptualising integrated thinking in practice," Managerial Auditing Journal, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 31(2), pages 228-248, February.
    37. Giuseppe Nicolo & Gianluca Zanellato & Francesca Manes-Rossi & Adriana Tiron-Tudor, 2021. "Corporate reporting metamorphosis: empirical findings from state-owned enterprises," Public Money & Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 41(2), pages 138-147, February.
    38. Cho, Charles H. & Patten, Dennis M., 2007. "The role of environmental disclosures as tools of legitimacy: A research note," Accounting, Organizations and Society, Elsevier, vol. 32(7-8), pages 639-647.
    39. Francesca Rossignoli & Riccardo Stacchezzini & Alessandro Lai, 2021. "Integrated reporting and analyst behaviour in diverse institutional settings," Meditari Accountancy Research, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 30(3), pages 819-851, October.
    40. repec:eme:jaar00:jaar-04-2020-0077 is not listed on IDEAS
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Hea Young Lim & Ki Han Kwon, 2023. "Sustainable Assessment of the Environmental Activities of Major Cosmetics and Personal Care Companies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-20, September.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Amir Hossain & Sudipta Bose & Abul Shamsuddin, 2023. "Diffusion of integrated reporting, insights and potential avenues for future research," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 63(2), pages 2503-2555, June.
    2. Nuradhi Kalpani Jayasiri & Sriyalatha Kumarasinghe & Rakesh Pandey, 2023. "12 years of integrated reporting: A review of research," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 63(2), pages 2187-2243, June.
    3. Valentina Minutiello & Patrizia Tettamanzi, 2022. "The quality of nonfinancial voluntary disclosure: A systematic literature network analysis on sustainability reporting and integrated reporting," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 29(1), pages 1-18, January.
    4. Patrick Velte, 2022. "Archival research on integrated reporting: a systematic review of main drivers and the impact of integrated reporting on firm value," Journal of Management & Governance, Springer;Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA), vol. 26(3), pages 997-1061, September.
    5. Stefania Veltri & Antonella Silvestri, 2020. "The value relevance of corporate financial and nonfinancial information provided by the integrated report: A systematic review," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(8), pages 3038-3054, December.
    6. Luca Leukhardt & Michel Charifzadeh & Fabian Diefenbach, 2022. "Does integrated reporting quality matter to capital markets? Empirical evidence from voluntary adopters," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 29(5), pages 1482-1494, September.
    7. Nicola Raimo & Filippo Vitolla & Valentina Minutiello & Arcangelo Marrone & Patrizia Tettamanzi, 2022. "Readability of integrated reports: Evidence from worldwide adopters," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 29(3), pages 524-534, May.
    8. Grueso Gala, Melanie & Camisón Zornoza, César, 2022. "A bibliometric analysis of the literature on non-financial information reporting: Review of the research and network visualization," Cuadernos de Gestión, Universidad del País Vasco - Instituto de Economía Aplicada a la Empresa (IEAE).
    9. Yanqi Sun & Pui San Ip & Michael Jones & Jenny Jing Wang & Yi An, 2021. "Determinants of Animal Welfare Disclosure Practices: Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-16, February.
    10. Filippo Vitolla & Nicola Raimo & Arcangelo Marrone & Michele Rubino, 2020. "The role of board of directors in intellectual capital disclosure after the advent of integrated reporting," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 27(5), pages 2188-2200, September.
    11. Masahiro Hosoda, 2022. "Adoption of integrated reporting and changes to internal mechanisms in Japanese companies," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 29(2), pages 421-434, March.
    12. Kar Shun Wong & Azlan Amran & Ei Yet Chu, 2023. "Institutional antecedents of integrated reporting quality: The moderating role of board independence," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 30(2), pages 621-640, March.
    13. Perera, Luckmika & Jubb, Christine & Gopalan, Sandeep, 2019. "A comparison of voluntary and mandated climate change-related disclosure," Journal of Contemporary Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 15(2), pages 243-266.
    14. Raimo, Nicola & Zito, Marianna & Caragnano, Alessandra, 2020. "Firm Characteristics and Corporate Governance Disclosure in Integrated Reports," EconStor Conference Papers 224760, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics.
    15. Nicola Raimo & Angela Rella & Filippo Vitolla & María-Inés Sánchez-Vicente & Isabel-María García-Sánchez, 2021. "Corporate Social Responsibility in the COVID-19 Pandemic Period: A Traditional Way to Address New Social Issues," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-16, June.
    16. Sumaia Ayesh Qaderi & Belal Ali Abdulraheem Ghaleb & Abdulwahid Ahmed Hashed & Sitraselvi Chandren & Zaimah Abdullah, 2022. "Board Characteristics and Integrated Reporting Strategy: Does Sustainability Committee Matter?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-24, May.
    17. Nicola Raimo & Alessandra Caragnano & Marianna Zito & Filippo Vitolla & Massimo Mariani, 2021. "Extending the benefits of ESG disclosure: The effect on the cost of debt financing," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 28(4), pages 1412-1421, July.
    18. Daniel Reimsbach & Geert Braam, 2023. "Creating social and environmental value through integrated thinking: International evidence," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(1), pages 304-320, January.
    19. Bui, Binh & Houqe, Muhammad Nurul & Zaman, Mahbub, 2020. "Climate governance effects on carbon disclosure and performance," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 52(2).
    20. José Navarrete-Oyarce & Juan Alejandro Gallegos & Hugo Moraga-Flores & José Luis Gallizo, 2021. "Integrated Reporting as an Academic Research Concept in the Area of Business," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-16, July.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:wly:sustdv:v:31:y:2023:i:3:p:1668-1680. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Wiley Content Delivery (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)1099-1719 .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.