Abstract
The IIRC states as its long term vision a world in which integrated thinking is embedded
within mainstream business practice and therefore sees integrated thinking as key in
fostering integrated reporting. This study seeks to establish how embedded integrated
thinking is in the integrated reporting processes of a sample of JSE Listed entities as they
produce integrated reports. The objective of this research is therefore to assess whether
integrated reporting is achieving integrated thinking and to what extent business
processes has been impacted by producing integrated reports by these entities.
Assessing the nature of integrated thinking was based on a qualitative interpretative
methodology using the research instrument of semi-structured interviews. Twelve nonexecutive,
executive and senior management were interviewed and the interviews were
analysed using a thematic approach.
The research found that there were different levels of maturity in the adoption of integrated
reporting and integrated thinking. The focus was generally more on producing the
integrated report than developing integrated thinking. Overall, the research found that
integrated reporting has not achieved the level of integrated thinking that would result in
changing or significant influence in the way in which business is conducted.
The research findings mean that further development needs to be done to ensure that
integrated thinking is fully embedded in business practices. As the interviewees came
from a spectrum of JSE Listed entities and from various levels of senior and non-executive
management, the results provide an indication of the level of embeddedness of integrated
thinking in the entities and how integrated reporting has impacted business practices.
M.Com. (International Accounting)