Disclosing the Health Value through Integrated Report: An Explorative Research

Abstract

This study aims to investigated if the integrated report, according to the IIRC (International Integrated Reporting Council) Framework, has the potential to disclose health information and to address citizens’ expectations. An explorative case was conducted in an Italian public hospital follows the action research approach. Semi-structured interviews were asked by researchers to reach a deep understanding of the phenomenon under study. The results show that Integrated Reporting is able to disclose the value created: the health outcome. There is a need for Integrated Reporting Framework adjustments for health sector purposes: in relation to some capitals of the framework, to the concept of value created in its particular emphasis on health outcome for patients and to the need to find a more effective communication method. The absence of stakeholder engagement activities in the Integrated Reporting adoption process influences the attractiveness of the document. In fact, the Integrated Reporting user appears to be only the financing institution.This study aims to investigated if the integrated report, according to the IIRC (International Integrated Reporting Council) Framework, has the potential to disclose health information and to address citizens’ expectations. An explorative case was conducted in an Italian public hospital follows the action research approach. Semi-structured interviews were asked by researchers to reach a deep understanding of the phenomenon under study. The results show that Integrated Reporting is able to disclose the value created: the health outcome. There is a need for Integrated Reporting Framework adjustments for health sector purposes: in relation to some capitals of the framework, to the concept of value created in its particular emphasis on health outcome for patients and to the need to find a more effective communication method. The absence of stakeholder engagement activities in the Integrated Reporting adoption process influences the attractiveness of the document. In fact, the Integrated Reporting user appears to be only the financing institution.