Purpose - To analyze the sensemaking (Weick, 1995) of the actors involved in the adoption and elaboration of Integrated Reporting in a Brazilian financial institution (Itau Unibanco S.A.). Design/methodology/approach - Exploratory and interpretative case study, with semi-structured interviews with nine actors who compose the Working Group for elaborating Integrated Reporting, alongside documental analysis. The data were analyzed using the content analysis technique. Findings - Sensemaking applied to Integrated Reporting is an interpretative process involving its elements (business models, capitals, material themes, value creation), it promotes organizational change by means of disruptive actions, and it is adaptive when it adjusts to organizational culture. Originality/value - The study contributes to the discussion of the adoption of Integrated Reporting at the enterprise studied, at the Brazilian Commission for the Follow-up of Integrated Reporting, at the International Integrated Reporting Council, at Brazilian consultancy firms, and among users of the report. The study also contributes to the literature relating to this theme.

Disclosure Ambiental das Companhias do Setor de Petróleo, Gás e Biocombustíveis Listadas na BM&FBOVESPA: Uma Análise à Luz da Teoria da Legitimidade

This study aims to understand the meaning created by Itaú Unibanco’s internal actors in the Integrated Reporting (IR) processes. An interpretative approach based on Karl Weick’s sensemaking perspective is adopted. A case study methodology was adopted for undertaking the empirical work. The results show that IR identity in the institution is related to three issues: synergy processes between sectors; integration for the production of other reports; and development of an integrated thinking chain for the entire business. We present perceptions on benefits and difficulties in the process of preparing the integrated report. Although the practices and processes established did not change the characteristics of the bank, the perspective of the social actors seems to have changed from a sectoral view to a multidimensional view. In addition, the conclusions suggest that it is not difficult to understand that separating ‘thinking’ from ‘doing’, attributing to the individual the role of mere operationalization is tantamount to ignore the meaning attributed to the organization’s journey towards the creation of a process, namely the IR one. The study’s contribution lies in pointing out that the IR process is directly related to the integrated thinking process. This could be the most significant differential of IR as a form of corporate communication as it amounts to a new reporting framework that proposes integrating social, environmental, and governance disclosures (non-financial information) with financial disclosures in a single report.

The purpose of this article was to propose an agenda for future research on stakeholder management in integrated reporting. Framework 1.0 of integrated reporting addresses the management of stakeholders as a routine in the course of business, without further details. In turn, the academy can contribute in this regard. Integrated reporting is a recent development achieved after 30 years (or more) of attempts to effectively expand accountability to stakeholders. The engagement with stakeholders produces successful results in the long term, highlighting the need to indicate to them the value of using integrated reports. Due to the absence of details in Framework 1.0, it is up to academics to actively and cautiously monitor its development and implementation. This article’s contribution is to raise research to bring the practice of integrated reporting closer, as well as generate discussions to involve academics, the International Integrated Reporting Council, national councils, and report writers. Thus, the integrated report was discussed considering that its framework must be updated (how to do it) to impact the practice (the act of doing it). For this, we used a bibliographic methodology and content analysis. We also used the literature review methodology and content analysis. We mapped 11 factors, established 10 qualitative propositions, and 35 insights for future studies. The results indicate that the stakeholder management may have reached its potential in a ceremonial way, but it lacks definitions. For the academy and the International Integrated Reporting Council, the study contributes by mapping factors and suggesting the implementation of guidelines and debates with local commissions to overcome the deficiencies pointed out by this study.

The objective of this research is to build the semantics of the concept of value creation based on the existing literature, delimited to the Integrated Reporting (IR) proposal. It is a descriptive, bibliographic and documentary study, developed with use of content analysis. Sixteen articles, three books and one document were analyzed, based on the “Value Creation – Background Paper” (International Integrated Reporting Council, 2013a), as well as on the semantic classification proposed by Ilari and Geraldi (1985). The results show that the semantics of the concept of value creation is that the organization carries out actions of values (capitals) created directly or indirectly, considering only their positive effect on society and the environment. Negative actions cause value destruction for shareholders and stakeholders, and they are not reported when expected to be. Financial value is relevant, but not enough to create value. The absence of explanations on the subject makes it possible the non-adoption of the real purpose in the construction of the connectivity of financial and non-financial information, consequently damaging the credibility of this new corporate disclosure format. The research encourages discussions to fill gaps and counter criticisms, especially international ones. It contributes to the interpretation of the concept of value creation for future IR disclosures, clearly elucidating what would be the organization’s value creation and accountability to society, in view of the difficulty in applying this concept in public consultations (2013 and 2017), as revealed by preparers. This research also contributes to advancing the discussion in the literature in the value creation context.

Os bancos de desenvolvimento atuam concedendo financiamento a projetos de longo prazo em vista ao desenvolvimento. O Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social (BNDES) que é o maior banco de desenvolvimento da América Latina e um dos maiores do mundo, adotou voluntariamente o Relato Integrado em 2013. Este estudo objetivou analisar quais os temas relacionados ao desenvolvimento sustentável que o BNDES tem trabalhado no Relato Integrado e realizar um levantamento biográfico com reflexões sobre o percurso das fases de mandatos políticos do banco entre as décadas de 1960 e os anos 2000. A sustentação teórica é com a ótica da Teoria da Legitimidade, acrescida da discussão sobre desenvolvimento sustentável com os fatores econômico, social e ambiental. Aplicou-se a técnica de análise de conteúdo nos relatos dos anos de 2013 a 2016. Conclui-se que o BNDES consegue atrelar capital econômico, social e ambiental, mas faltam indicadores para mensurá-los. Este estudo contribui ao inferir que o Relato Integrado pode ser uma forma comunicação do contrato de legitimação do banco com diversos stakeholders para o desenvolvimento sustentável, atrelando a missão do banco de desenvolvimento a longo prazo ainda que a sua gestão esteja relaciona aos mandatos públicos de curto prazo.