ifkad articles

Business Model and Integrated Reporting: a first analysis

Roberto Aprile, Elisabetta Magnaghi

The aim of this paper is to realize a first explanatory analysis of Business model considering three different aspects: the definition stated by IIRC and within its documents, the existing International literature where there is not an univocal definition and the empirical side represented by the Pilot Program of IIRC. The research question is to identify which aspects of the BM should be considered in the light of these different contributions to better represent and report the sustainable growth and value creation dynamics according to a sustainable growth perspective. The paper also has the purpose to put in evidence eventually critical aspects in the BM rules and applications trying to shed more light on how this aspect could be really useful in the successful development of the Integrated Reporting. This aspect is also relevant since IR represents a recent innovation it is not so much analysed by academics and it would require to be analysed basing on a theoretical perspective. Three different methodologies are adopted: after an explanatory analysis of the International literature review about Business Model we would realize a Document analysis approach (Bowen, 2009) about the documents issued by the IIRC and a Case study approach for the empirical side of the research (Stake, 1993; Yin, 1995). The empirical side will cover 18 Companies included in the Database of the IIRC. The originality of this paper is related both to the fact that it addresses a new issue that is not particularly analysed since it is young and since it is still developing, and to the complete approach of the analysis combining the theoretical aspects with the empirical applications of the companies. Practical implications of this paper are connected to the fact that the findings could help companies in finding a better way of analysing, implementing and representing their Business Model generating a good outcome both for the entity and for its stakeholders. The results could also be useful for the IIRC that is still developing its standards.

IN: Proceedings IFKAD 2014 – Knowledge and Management Models for Sustainable Growth
PP: 3825-3843