Integrated Reporting Background and Practical Challenges

The integrated reporting (IR) emerged as the result of a gradual process of evolution of various social accounting practices and is regarded as the ultimate development in the broader field of corporate reporting. This section considers recent trends that have prompted the debate on corporate sustainability and accountability, providing a rich context for understanding the emergence of IR. Given the lack of a general accepted approach to IR in practice, we will examine the diverse models of IR to identify the key players and influences that shaped the mission of the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC). We will also point out some of the most critical aspects of the IIRC Framework that could prevent the outcomes of this promising initiative.