Social capital and integrated reporting: Losing legitimacy when reporting talk is not supported by actions. Issue 1 (14th February 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Casonato, Federica; Farneti, Federica; Dumay, John
• Is Part Of: Journal of intellectual capital. Volume 20:Issue 1(2019)
• Page Start: 144
• Page End: 164
• Publication Date: 2019-02-14
• Subjects: Australia -- Reputation -- Banking -- Integrated reporting -- Impression management -- Social capital; Intellectual capital -- Periodicals; Human capital -- Periodicals; Knowledge management -- Periodicals; 658.4038
• DOI: 10.1108/JIC-08-2018-0132
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1469-1930

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: To present the continuation of a case study by Beck et al. (2017) on an Australian bank (CBD) during the period 2004–2013 by examining whether integrated reporting affects relational capital and helps to repair an organisations' reputation. Both studies examine how a bank rocked by a major scandal in 2004 has attempted to repair its legitimacy through integrated reporting (). The paper aims to discuss these issue. Design/methodology/approach: This study is a post facto analysis based on the original research from Beck et al. (2017). The research process involved a case study approach with an analysis framed by impression management theory to investigate whether the information in CBD's integrated reports is consistent with other information available to investors. Findings: The authors find there is a gap between what CBD discloses in its integrated reports and what is publicly available in other media. CBD's talk and actions are not aligned, and that asymmetry translates into a decline of trust in CBD. The bank's integrated reports reveal how management discloses or withholds information to protect their own interests and at their own discretion. These conclusions indicate that the integrated reporting paradigm is being co-opted by IM strategies to improve legitimacy through trust, reputation and social capital. Research limitations/implications: Future research needs to reach beyond the organisational boundaries and understand if adds value for society, or is just a new form of multicapitalism, being an ideology to help the rich become richer? The answers are important if we ever hope to see misconduct disappear from our corporations and for company reports to become documents bearing truth and not espouse rhetoric based on organisational hypocrisy. Originality/value: The paper adds to the growing body of research investigating in practice to understand the impact of and whether it is a new and useful reporting tool or just another management fashion.