Empirical study regarding the integrated reporting practices in Europe

Corporate reporting in recent times faces a series of challenges as companies are expected to reassess their strategy for information disclosure. Within a global economic environment that is continuously evolving, there is a strong need for an internationally coordinated action as the financial and non-financial information disclosed by a company influences its strategic decisions. The topic of the current paper outlines the issue of integrated reporting as the interconnection between financial, social and environmental information. We intend to investigate the influence of financial performance on social and environmental disclosure and measure the integration level of corporations that claim to publish integrated reports. The main stages of the research involve the determination of financial ratios and disclosure index levels for environmental and social information. For the purpose of establishing the disclosure index we consider the referential of GRI G3 international standards, while compliance with the standard would be the prerequisite for integrated reports, by contributing to an increase in non-financial disclosure, in addition to the mandatory financial one. Our sample comprises 16 Asian-Pacific companies that participate in the pilot program initiated by the International Integrated Reporting Committee according to which organizations are encouraged to integrate their non-financial information - social and environmental disclosure - within annual reports, along with financial data. The research methodology assumes computation of a disclosure index for social and environmental information, and determination of financial ratios for establishing the influence of financial performance on socio-environmental disclosure and the actual level of integration in specific integrated reports. Our findings suggest the financial ratios can be directly, indirectly, and non- correlated with non-financial information, while the integration process is attained at high, medium, or low levels, according to the aggregation of financial, social, and environmental information.

In terms of corporate governance, the board of directors (BoDs) is the main responsible structure in meeting and safeguarding both shareholders and stakeholders’ interests. Integrated reporting’s primary aim is to improve information quality provided to shareholders while responding to stakeholders’ interests and needs. Using lenses of stakeholder theory, this study explores the relationship between board of directors’ characteristics as size, gender diversity, activity, tenure, outside directors, chief executive officer (CEO) duality and the Integrated Reports alignment level to the International Integrated Reporting Committee (IIRC) framework, using a self-constructed disclosure index. Applying a content analysis method, data were collected from integrated reports to determine the self-constructed disclosure index (Integrated Reporting Score—IRS). Through quantitative analysis, we analyzed which BoDs’ characteristics are correlated to IRS. The analyzed sample was formed of 98 integrated reports produced by 61 European companies, published on the IIRC website for the period 2013–2017. The current study contributes to existing knowledge by exploring the voluntary adoption of integrated reporting using quantitative analysis and focusing on the European context. The obtained results highlight that integrated report alignment levels with IIRF is directly correlated with the proportion of outside directors on the board and longer board tenure. Results show a higher alignment for reports produced by two-tier or mixed boards than the unitary ones. Additionally, there is a constant improvement in alignment score, with a statistical difference occurring in 2016 compared to 2013.

In conducting analytical procedures, auditors may use both financial information and nonfinancial information such as general economic conditions, technological changes in the client's industry, and new products from competitors. While there has been extensive research on the impact of financial information (e.g., Biggs and Wild 1985), there has been little consideration of how auditors use nonfinancial information. Further, little is known about how these forms of evidence are integrated. The purpose of this study is to examine the relative consideration of financial and nonfinancial trends in two analytical review tasks: establishing the level of audit scope and generating hypotheses. As noted by Koonce (1993), prior studies have examined analytical review phases separately and, thus, have contributed to our understanding in a piecemeal fashion. Seventy-eight auditors participated in an experiment with the independent variables reflecting financial trend (stable or decline) and nonfinancial trend (stable or decline). Increased risk and auditor training associated with financial information suggest that greater focus will be placed on financial rather than nonfinancial information. The results suggest that auditors place heavier reliance on financial trends than nonfinancial trends in establishing the overall level of audit scope. Further, auditors apparently utilize nonfinancial information as corroborating evidence. The results also reveal that a greater number of hypotheses are generated when financial or nonfinancial trends signal a decline than when they signal a stable environment, and the greatest number of hypotheses are generated when both financial and nonfinancial information indicate a decline. The findings also indicate that a greater number of hypotheses are generated as a result of financial information than nonfinancial information. Further, results reveal that a large and essentially equal number of hypotheses were generated when either financial or nonfinancial trends indicate a decline, suggesting that auditors consider nonfinancial information in the hypothesis-generation stage of the analytical review process. Thus, if we look at the audit-scope phase in isolation it appears that auditors may not sufficiently consider nonfinancial information. However, in the hypothesis-generation stage, both financial and nonfinancial trends affected the quantity of hypotheses generated. Thus, it is important for researchers to look at multiple stages of the analytical review process concurrently.

Purpose The purpose of the present study is to investigate the demand side of non-financial reporting, especially integrated reporting. We investigate (1) what type of content the users of online integrated reports access most frequently and (2) whether users search for non-financial content and content that integrated reports must contain to comply with the requirements of the International Integrated Reporting Framework (IIRF). Design/methodology/approach We perform big data analysis on the log files associated with user access to five online integrated reports over a period of 12 months to investigate what type of information users access most frequently when they visit online integrated reports. Content analysis enabled us to match the usage data (page impressions) to certain topics within the integrated reports. Our analysis, which is based on data reflecting over one million webpage views, indicates which types of integrated-report content attract the users’ attention and which do not. Findings Our results confirm that integrated reports in general, and specific components in particular, are of significant value to users. In contrast to what other studies suggest, we find no evidence that users seek financial information to a much greater extent than non-financial information. Specifically, our results show that usage between financial and non-financial information is quite evenly distributed and differs depending on the metric under consideration; considering usage by topic impressions financial information is used more frequently, scaling topic impressions by report pages addressing a specific topic, non-financial information displays higher usage. With respect to specific topics, our analysis shows that the topics that attracted most interest from our sample of users are performance, financial statements, company profile and value creation. Furthermore, our findings confirm the importance of integrated reporting from a user perspective. Practical implications The results of our study are of practical value to both standard setters and (potential) preparers for two main reasons: first, they provide user-centric evidence about the importance of non-financial information and empirically confirm that integrated reporting has become widely accepted among users; second, they provide evidence about the topics that are of specific interest for users and therefore should also be considered by preparers and standard setters more carefully. Originality/value The present study enriches the literature on financial and sustainability reporting with informative insights into which of the topics that integrated reports contain attract most interest from users. Moreover, our results are based on actual data on the usage of such reports that reflect real user-journeys, rather than on artificial data, created for research purposes.

Using financial and non-financial data from casino gaming firms listed in the United States from 1999–2017, we explore two research questions: (1) Is financial information value relevant to financial markets in the casino gaming industry? (2) Does non-financial information have incremental explanatory power over financial information? In general, we find that accounting numbers can explain a firm’s market value and stock returns in the casino gaming industry, except for accounting accruals, which may behave differently compared to other industries. We also find that non-financial information, such as the number of table games, number of slot machines, and their relative proportion, have significant value relevance in explaining market valuation. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of the value relevance of financial and non-financial information in the casino gaming industry. We also provide analysis of firms characterized by these non-financial attributes. Keywords: hospitality, casino, gaming, value relevance, table games, slot machines JEL Code: L83, M19, M41

Phd Thesis: International Perspective: The Impact of Corporate Social Responsibility Reports on Analysts' Coverage and Forecast Properties: Evidence from Ft Global 500

Waste is Our Business, Inc.: The Importance of Non-Financial Information in the Audit Planning Process

Introduction. In modern conditions, the study of the essence and prevention of economic crimes is becoming more and more relevant, since the damage from their consequences increases significantly every year. The growing volume of damage is associated both with the general trend of increasing crimes and with the growth of their detection, which becomes possible if the essence of the crime, its execution and motives are understood. Manipulation in financial statements, as one of the types of economic crimes, is the most difficult method of fraud to detect. In this regard, many researchers offer a different set of tools for detecting manipulations, however, since the methods of committing fraud are constantly being improved, detection methods require timely modernization. Objectives. Determination of a sufficient set of analytical procedures in order to identify signs of manipulation in the financial statements of a construction organization based on public information. Methods. In the course of the study, methods of logical and statistical analysis were used. Results. An assessment of the financial and non-financial information of the construction holding activity was carried out, important components of the analysis of the financial and economic activities of the organization were identified, a set of analytical procedures used to identify signs of manipulation in financial statements was proposed. Conclusions. Conclusions are drawn about the importance of a comprehensive study of not only financial information, but also non-financial information, the use of a benchmarking procedure and the calculation of analytical indicators that can indicate problem areas in financial statements, on the basis of which a set of analytical procedures is proposed, including five stages: data collection for analytical procedures , testing financial statements by analyzing financial information based on a decision tree, analyzing non-financial and financial information, and comparing the results of the analysis of financial and non-financial information.

In recent years, ESG investment has been attracting a lot of attention both practice and academia. In the midst of these ESG investment trends, corporate non-financial information has become more important, and integrated reports that include both financial and non-financial information have been attracting attention. However, unlike financial statements, there are no standard forms in integrated reports. The content and amount of them vary, and the ingenuity of each company can be seen. In addition, while financial information can be shown as numerical values and graphs, non-financial information tends to be qualitative information. Since it is difficult to read and compare multiple integrated reports consisting of tens to hundreds of pages, the need to read more important non-financial information efficiently and objectively is increasing. Therefore, in this study, we analyze these integrated reports quantitatively by using natural language processing techniques to tell the differences between "good" and "not good" integrated reports. Here, as "good" integrated reports, we use a list of excellent integrated reports and significant improved integrated reports from the GPIF website. For the good integrated reports, we found that (1) they describe more sustainable words that create long-term value, (2) describe more about their services and customers, and (3) are proactive in sustainability and corporate governance.

The financial reporting plays a significant role in sustainable development, as it contributes greatly to providing the information required to assess sustainable development performance. In order to achieve the sustainable development, accurate information should be provided to stakeholders on the energy consumed and the impact of energy consumption on the environment. Information on sustainable energy performance needs providing both of financial and non-financial information. However, the traditional financial reporting system is unable to provide information that helps measure and promote sustainable energy performance, as the current accounting system provides financial information only. It is therefore important to adopt an appropriate reporting framework to support the evaluation of sustainable energy performance. This paper proposes an approach to the measure the sustainable energy performance based on the integrated reporting framework. A unique feature of the approach is the selection of corporate energy performance indicators that cover both financial and non-financial information. This paper therefore sets out indicators for assessing sustainable energy performance based on the Integrated Reporting Framework. Furthermore, the application of the indicators proposed in this paper helps regulators and economic policy makers to develop sustainable development strategies at national level. Moreover, the adoption of the proposed indicators can provide accurate information on the real and future of sustainable energy in the country.

Value-relevance of nonfinancial information: The wireless communications industry

A country’s accounting and disclosure system is part of its financial system and more generally its institutional infrastructure. Economic theory suggests that, in well-functioning economies, the elements of the institutional infrastructure evolve to fit and reinforce each other. Thus, the accounting system is likely to be geared towards the informational and contracting needs of the key parties in the economy. Due to the existence of private information channels, financial statements are less important in terms of monitoring economic performance and assume other roles, such as determining dividends. However, for this reason, arm’s length or outside investors relying primarily on public disclosures are not as well informed in the German system as they are in Anglo-American economies. Since 2005, listed German groups have been required to prepare their consolidated accounts under International Financial Reporting Standards, IFRSs. The study was a literature based which sought to empirically assess the effect of voluntary non-financial disclosure on performance of financial firms listed on NYSE, United States. The study established that Non-financial reporting by German companies has long been a voluntary matter. As of fiscal year 2017, the CSR Directive Implementation Act makes it mandatory for some 500 large German companies. Non-financial reporting by German companies has long been a voluntary matter. Since the early 2000s, German companies have published non-financial information mostly as CSR or sustainability reports. Publishing comprehensive non-financial information will be mandatory as of fiscal year 2017 for some large German companies as a result of the CSR Directive Implementation Act. The CSR Directive Implementation Act obliges large companies of public interest, in particular, capital market-oriented companies, credit institutions, and insurance companies to publish non-financial information. The study concluded that since stock volatility is linked to information asymmetries and to a higher risk of a company, this analysis implies certain practical implications for both managers and regulators regarding the importance of specific disclosure strategy in capital markets. The study also concluded that the level of disclosed information, the interpretation and the effectiveness of forward-looking information depends on the reputation of a company. Companies disclosing nonfinancial information through sustainability reporting practices provide markets with data on their social, environmental, and governance performance. The study recommended that there is need to have a proper execution of regulatory framework which in turn increases the proper governance disclosures leading to an effective management system. Keywords: Voluntary, non-financial disclosure, performance, financial firms, listed NYSE, United States.

The increased focus on environmental (E), social (S), and governance (G) (ESG) disclosure has become a necessary step toward the integration of sustainability practices into firms’ culture to meet the expectations of stakeholders. The social and environmental implications of firm activities on the environment and surrounding communities have led to the growing demand for useful non-financial information. This paper investigates the impacts of the board’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy and CSR orientation, GRI, and the country–cultural dimensions, based on Hofstede’s measures of ESG disclosure practices within Europe. Using a European dataset from Bloomberg and Refinitiv Eikon, this paper adopts a quantitative research methodology to test the research hypotheses through a statistical analysis of 7840 observations from European companies to analyze the extent of the relationship between micro- and macro-variables and the disclosure of company ESG. Our findings suggest that both board CSR orientation and strategy and the GRI have positively and significantly affected the overall disclosure of ESG practices within Europe. When examining country–cultural dimensions, we find that individualism and feminine cultures are positively associated with increased levels of ESG disclosure. Our findings shed light on factors affecting ESG disclosure practices within Europe and could be of interest to companies, policy makers, and other stakeholders.

Zakah Management Organization (ZMO) is demanded to improve its transparency and accountability including presenting financial and non-financial information by internet. This study aims to describe and compare the usage of website and social media to report many kinds of information by ZMO at state university in Indonesia. This is descriptive qualitative study. The research object is website and social media of Rumah Amal Salman, Rumah Amal Lazis UNNES and LAZIS UNS. Moreover, the data is collected by observation and documentation method. In addition, the data then analyzed by content analysis. Results show that those ZMO have utilized well both website and social media for internet reporting, especially non-financial information. Website is used to deliver organization profile, product information and other important information that can be useful for donor or muzakki. However, there are two ZMO that have not used website and social media to report their financial state. It is Rumah Amal Lazis UNNES which conducts internet financial reporting but limited to Fund Statement. Furthermore, Facebook and Instagram are considered as social media that mostly used by ZMO. Twitter has not been actively used. In addition, YouTube application has not been maximized. In summary, interaction to muzakki through social media needs to be improved by the ZMO.
 Keywords: internet reporting, website, social media, facebook, instagram, twitter, ZMO

The research is devoted to the problem of financial and non-financial information disclosure by banking groups of Ukraine. Detinization of the economy is one of the highest priorities of state policy, banks, as the largest group of financial intermediaries, act as one of the tools to reduce the level of shadow transactions. However, the problem of the presence of mechanisms for identifying violations, anti-corruption measures, which in turn should have a positive effect on the level of bank transparency, is still not sufficiently covered. In this paper authors analyze the Management Report. It is a report, which contains financial and non-financial information, reveals the state and prospects of development, and characterizes the key risks accompanying the activity. Since at this stage the normative acts do not define a unified form, the problem of information disclosure is quite urgent. Taking into account the above-mentioned research problems, the authors analyzed the key structural divisions of the Report of the largest state-owned banks with private and foreign capital during 2021-2022. Using the expert method, the points of the Report that more fully disclose information, those that directly relate to the problem of shadowing, were determined economy and fight against corruption, and those that do not exist at all. As the next stage, the authors chose the Fishburne method for ranking indicators in order of their importance, which became the basis for deriving an integral indicator of transparency for each bank. The results show that there is a general tendency to increase the level of openness of financial and non-financial information of banks. In terms of forms of ownership, banks with foreign capital and state-owned banks are more transparent, which in turn helps to reduce the level of shadow transactions.