Digital Corporate Reporting: Research Developments and Implications

Abstract

Innovations surrounding digital corporate reporting and underlying technology such as XBRL have been slowly introduced to corporate reporting infrastructure since the early 2000s. These innovations promise to enhance the accessibility, accuracy and comparability of reported information, and more effectively meet the needs of information users. Whilst research in the last two decades has attempted to provide evidence of the impact of digital corporate reporting, it remains largely fragmented and sparse. We take an eclectic perspective to review and synthesise existing research on digital corporate reporting and assess the broader research implications for key stakeholders, including preparers and users of corporate reports, regulators and standard-setters. In doing so, we offer an appraisal for those contemplating the growing influence of digital corporate reporting, and identify opportunities and avenues for future research.