Integrated reporting : developing an injustice assessment framework and a research agenda

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Authors

Beretta, Valentina
Demartini, Maria Chiara
De Villiers, Charl Johannes

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Emerald Insight

Abstract

PURPOSE – Integrated reporting (IR) provides a joint overview of an organisation’s financial and sustainability performance and strategies. While the prior literature often critiques IR’s potential to entrench injustice, a systematic approach has not been followed. Therefore, this paper provides a systematic literature review, uncovering IR injustices, informing the development of an IR injustice assessment framework to identify injustices and a research agenda. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH – Combining Flyvbjerg’s phronetic social science and the phases of the IR idea journey to focus on injustice, this paper reviews published IR articles to inform a critique of IR. As a result, we identify specific injustice(s), the actors responsible for them, as well as the victims, as a basis for recommendations for praxis through the development of an IR injustice assessment framework and a research agenda. FINDINGS – We find that different approaches are needed in each phase of the IR idea journey. In the (re) generation phase, a pluralistic approach to IR is needed from the very beginning of the decision-making process. In the elaboration phase, the motivations and the features of IR are assessed. In the championing phase, IR champions support radical innovation, whereas IR opponents are obstructing its spread. In the production phase, the extent to which IR and integrated thinking are linked to the business model is assessed. Finally, we find that IR’s impact is often limited by the symbolic implementation of its tenets. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS – The findings suggest a need for companies to rethink the ways in which IR is implemented and used to analyse the ways in which IR is supported and disseminated within and outside the organisation, to focus on internal processes and to reflect on the expected impact of IR on the company’s stakeholders. ORIGINALTY/VALUE – This study represents the first systematic approach to identifying IR-related injustices, involving how IR adoption might create injustices and marginalise certain stakeholder groups, and offering recommendations for praxis. Furthermore, the paper details the role of IR in either mitigating or amplifying these injustices and develops a research agenda.

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Keywords

Integrated reporting, Phronetic social science, Social injustice, Idea journey, SDG-08: Decent work and economic growth, SDG-10: Reduced inequalities, SDG-12: Responsible consumption and production, SDG-16: Peace, justice and strong institutions

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG-08:Decent work and economic growth
SDG-10:Reduces inequalities
SDG-12:Responsible consumption and production
SDG-16:Peace,justice and strong institutions

Citation

Beretta, V., Demartini, M.C. & De Villiers, C. 2025, 'Integrated reporting: developing an injustice assessment framework and a research agenda', Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal, vol. 38, no. 9, pp. 1-29, doi. : 10.1108/AAAJ-02-2024-6917.