An intellectual capital ontology in an integrated reporting context
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the intellectual capital (IC) ontology in an integrated reporting context to explore the function that integrated report (IR) preparers assign to IC elements and the role of integrated thinking in this process.
Design/methodology/approach
Social ontology theory helps elucidate how an energy-sector company socially constructed an IC ontology in which IC is a core element of the value creation story told in the IR. The empirical analysis benefited from in-depth interviews with the corporate staff.
Findings
The subjective nature of IC ontology emerges, in that IC’s function is defined during the very process of IR preparation. The intangible elements drive sustainability-oriented financial value creation according to the sustainability approach embraced by the company’s business model. Integrated thinking both facilitates this perspective on IC is shared among various departments of the company and provides a procedure for scrutinising what counts as IC in this integrated reporting context.
Research limitations/implications
The research scope is limited to the IR preparation process. Further research could explore IC ontologies beyond this process.
Originality/value
This study is the first to explore IC ontology empirically within an innovative integrated reporting context. It opens paths to further research on the relationships between IC and integrated thinking.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors are grateful to the guest editors and the reviewers for their insightful comments. The research benefited from funds obtained within the “Ricerca di Base 2015” project of the University of Verona (Italy).
Citation
Stacchezzini, R., Florio, C., Sproviero, A.F. and Corbella, S. (2019), "An intellectual capital ontology in an integrated reporting context", Journal of Intellectual Capital, Vol. 20 No. 1, pp. 83-99. https://doi.org/10.1108/JIC-05-2018-0090
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited