In a research article published in 2000, Professor Vivien Beattie noted that: “Significant changes in the corporate external reporting environment have led to proposals for fundamental changes in corporate reporting practices. Recent influential reports by major organisations have suggested that a variety of new information types be reported, in particular forward-looking, non-financial and soft information.”
This paper presents a review and synthesis of these reports and provides a framework for classifying and describing suggested information types. The academic antecedents for certain current proposals are identified and the ambiguous relationship between research and practice is explored. The implications for future academic research are discussed and a research agenda is introduced.
For additional insight, read the article “The future of corporate reporting: a review article” by Vivien Beattie published in the Irish Accounting Review 2000, 7(1), pages 1-36. As well, refer to the 1991 landmark research study called Information to be included in the Annual Report to Shareholders published by the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA). This 317-page study was drafted by J. Paul-Emile Roy, CA under the direction of a seven-member Study Group chaired by Gerald Trites, FCA.
