Integrated reporting is founded on integrated thinking. In essence, this is the consideration of the six capitals identified in the International ‹IR› Framework in the strategy, decision-making and daily operations of an organisation. Integrated thinking should be embedded in an organisation at three levels: the board of directors, senior management and staff members.
The integrated reporting experience of South African organisations shows that the preparation of the integrated report helps to embed integrated thinking in an organisation.
Reference Sources
Draft Integrated Thinking Principles open for public comment
The Value Reporting Foundation has created some principles that can be applied in integrated thinking at board level and in the operations of an organisation. To download the draft principles – https://www.integratedreporting.org/integrated-thinking/
Submit your comments, by 30 April 2022, on any changes you would like to see on this link https://sasb.surveymonkey.com/r/PZQYRZC
A model for Integrated Thinking
The report, “Integrated Thinking & Strategy: State of Play Report“ comes from the IIRC’s integrated thinking and strategy group. It introduces a new model to understand the power of integrated thinking: the spring model.
Purpose beyond profit: The value of value
This publication by AICPA, <IR> and Black Sun discusses 10 Questions for Integrated Reporting preparers. It seeks to understand trends and challenges in measuring, disclosing and understanding the value that companies create.
A company’s purpose
How can Investors identify a purpose-led company? This publication from A Blueprint for Better Business in the UK explains the trend of embracing financial performance plus benefits for society and the environment.
Reporting matters
This report from the WBCSD, Reporting matters six years on: the state of play WBCSD 2018 Report, looks at reporting issues including climate change.
Business through a new lens
PwC’s 19th Annual Global CEO Survey reveals that embedding sustainability thinking is becoming a mainstream approach to business-as-usual.
Joining the dots: Decision-making for a new era
This international research by CIMA and AICPA, Joining the dots: Decision-making for a new era, investigates the effectiveness of C-level decision-making practices in large organisations. The solution to many of the identified challenges lies in integrated thinking.
A survey of the views of executive and non-executive directors
Integrated Thinking: An exploratory survey is a paper released by SAICA in 2015. It covers the views of executives and non-executive directors of JSE listed companies on integrated thinking and the benefits experienced by South African organisations.
Conceptualising integrated thinking in practice
A paper offering theoretical and practical insights on the ways in which integrated thinking is observed in practice. The paper, Conceptualising integrated thinking in practice by Judy Oliver, Gillian Vesty and Albie Brooks, can be purchased from the publisher at the link.
Leading CFO’s share their experience on integrating sustainability into business processes and decisions
The four useful practical guides from A4S’s CFO Network cover:
- Capex;
- Enhancing investor engagement;
- Managing future uncertainty; and
- Natural and social capital accounting
Navigating the complexity of a changing world
The new “A4S Essential Guide to Strategic Planning, Budgeting and Forecasting” was launched in April 2018 to provide tools, practical examples and guidance on how to integrate sustainability into strategic planning, budgeting and forecasting processes.