Improving Investor Communications and Analysis via Standardization

Abstract

Over time, a market dialog of taxonomy extension best practices will improve constituent communication and investor analysis and comparability assessments. A stated goal/objective typically associated with the adoption of the Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL 1) is the enhancement of information quality, specifically comparability. Terms often cited include 'Standard', 'Standardization' and 'Comparability'. This paper discusses these three separate but related topics by clarifying common definitions, relationships, uses, and limitations. The paper recognizes various comparability perceptions, and it demonstrates how XBRL enhances comparability and perhaps it takes it to a new level. Finally, the paper suggests continue dialog with market participants on best practices for further development of concepts relevant to enhancing comparability. 1 XBRL is the extensible business reporting language, an international information format standard promulgated by an international consortium comprise of over 550 organizations. More information on XBRL can be found