Assurance on Integrated Reporting: A Critical Perspective

This research investigates how non-financial information is assured in the context of the Integrated Reporting Framework. In particular, we try to understand, through the lens of the legitimacy theory, whether the assurance process is a tool that enhances user trust. A study, based on semi-structured interviews with a group of experts, is presented. The respondents are practitioners, academics and investors directly involved in assurance debates. Consistent with legitimacy theory, most practitioners agree assurance adds value to the reporting process. However, other academics and investors are skeptical about whether assurance reduces agent-principle gaps. Their main concerns regard the difficulty in assuring qualitative information, and the discretion grants to management in the reporting process

Searching for Social and Environmental Accountability in Integrated Reporting: A Stewardship Approach

none2The study aims to examine the role of integrated reporting () Framework as part of the corporate reporting systems through the lenses of both the managerial and organisational approach and the social accounting approach identified by Contrafatto (2014) within the stewardship theory. The study adopts the Delphi method, based on semi-structured interviews conducted to gather insights from a pilot sample made up of experts operating in academia, institutions and corporate and investors’ networks, who are directly involved in the debate. Our findings support a potentially positive impact of Framework within corporate reporting systems thanks to its innovative characteristics. This study contributes to the need to support by examining its impact on management thinking and internal transformations (Adhariani and de Villiers 2019) and encouraging behaviours consistent with organisations’ sustainability objectives (De Villiers and Maroun 2017).restrictedCorrado, Miriam; Demartini, PaolaCorrado, Miriam; Demartini, Paol