An Enhanced Integrated Reporting Framework: Insights From a Critical Analysis of the Recent Research Literature

Given recent developments in the corporate reporting regulatory landscape, we provide a more comprehensive understanding of Integrated Reporting (IR) evolution and propose an enhanced version of the IR Framework. This enhanced framework incorporates new narratives and conceptualizations, introducing innovative perspectives that challenge and extend beyond established paradigms in the IR literature. We base our proposal on insights derived from a critical analysis of prior studies. Our findings reveal an evolutionary progression in IR-related research, which can be grouped into four clusters: ‘Framework and Conceptual Development’, ‘Strategic and Forward-Looking Mechanisms’, ‘Implementation and Adoption’ and ‘Impact’. The results indicate that IR remains relevant for practitioners, regulators, standard setters and academics. Moreover, there is an increasing call for evidence-based research to support more radical reforms of the IR framework. This study contributes to the ongoing development of the framework, potentially mitigating the risk of negative IR outcomes. Preparers can apply the enhanced IR Framework to strengthen their corporate reporting practices, while analysts and investors may benefit from the improved information disclosed by companies that adopt it. Standard setters and policymakers can also draw on the enhanced framework to guide future reporting standards, and researchers may explore the prevalence, effectiveness and broader implications of its elements, along with the additional research opportunities identified in this study.