The evolution of disclosure in integrated reports by a New Zealand company

Purpose - This paper aims to examine the evolution in the quality of integrated reporting disclosures using the International Integrated Reporting Council’s (IIRC) seven guiding principles and the evolution of sustainable development goal (SDG) disclosures of a New Zealand company following its voluntary replacement of sustainability reports with integrated reports in 2014, to determine whether these disclosures are ceremonial or substantive. Design/methodology/approach - Longitudinal qualitative content analysis of the case company’s 2014 to 2022 integrated reports was conducted using Ahmed Haji and Anifowose’s (2016) research instrument amended in line with the IIRC2021framework’s guiding principles and extending it to include the United Nations’ SDGs. Findings - Disclosure progressively evolved from initially being ceremonial in 2014 for integrated reporting and in 2015 for the SDGs to being substantive for both by 2022. Practical implications - This study showcases substantive and transparent disclosure and provides insights into corporate responses to SDGs. It urges managers to provide company-specific disclosures to mitigate concerns about the lack of transparency. Social implications - Poor reporting about SDGs may lead to potential conflicts with stakeholders. The findings show that integrated reporting is a useful corporate reporting tool to enhance transparency and enable stakeholders to better understand organisations’ engagement with the SDGs. Originality/value - To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to present an empirical account of integrated reporting and SDG disclosure over time in an environment where integrated reporting has been adopted voluntarily. This paper delves into the substance of integrated reports and contributes to the academic debate on the quality of integrated reporting practice.