Tweaking public sector reporting with integrated reporting (IR) concepts

ABSTRACT

This paper examines the annual departmental reports prepared by Maltese government departments and highlights the gap between current practices and integrated reporting (IR). The authors suggest that principles and elements of IR could be gradually introduced in an effort to enhance transparency and accountability. The internalization of integrated thinking could also lead to enhanced value creation, and overcome the silo mentality that characterizes the Maltese public sector. Detailed guidelines for preparing ADRs urgently need to be developed in Malta—preparers should not expect to find them in the IIRC Framework, because they are not there.

IMPACT

This paper examines how the concept of integrated thinking can improve existing reporting practices by government departments, leading to more efficient and effective public service provision. The authors view IR as a means to an end, that is, while they appreciate the intrinsic value of adoption on procedures, it is unnecessary to enforce a particular framework that requires an additional report.

KEYWORDS:

• Accountability
• governmental reporting
• integrated reporting
• silo mentality
• transparency

ORCID

Josette Caruana http://orcid.org/0000-0002-6099-1577