Electronic Theses and Dissertations (Masters)
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10539/37781
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Item Impression management through minimal narrative disclosures in integrated reports: an analysis of the top 100 JSE listed firms(2021) Chothia, AadilOrientation: Two crucial aspects to corporate reporting is transparency and accountability within the Integrated Report (Leung, Parker, & Courtis, 2015). Transparency within the Integrated Report allows for the users of the report to understand the financial position and underlying economics of the firm. Narrative disclosures in the Integrated Report forms a part of the annual corporate financial report and serves as a means of communication between management and investors. Narrative disclosers can also serve as a medium for impression management strategies utilised to distract investors’ attention from a firm’s weaknesses. This can be achieved through “selectivity” which involves including or omitting certain items of information within the Integrated Report (Merkl-Davies & Brennan, 2007).Research purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine if the top 100 JSE listed companies utilise impression management strategies, specifically through minimal narrative disclosures in their Integrated Reports. This will allow the researcher to “explore the phenomenon of concealment strategy through minimal narrative disclosures. In this study, the researcher focuses on selectivity in neglecting narrative information in the Integrated Report and extends the body of knowledge relating to impression management using concealment strategy, specifically discretionary narrative disclosures. Overview of research method: This was an adaptation of a study conducted by Leung et al. (2015) and was of a quantitative nature which involved the systematic investigation of the research questions through statistical methods on the data gathered. The research involved two phases. Phase 1 involved the identification of minimal narrative disclosure firms using a disclosure corpus. Phase 2 allowed the researcher to explore the sub-research questions which involved the use of a multivariate regression model. Main Findings: The study illustrated that from the sample firms selected, 49% were classified as minimal narrative disclosure firms based on their disclosure score obtained from the disclosure checklist. The study also showed that there is no association between a firm’s current performance and their minimal narrative disclosure firm score and revealed that there is an association between a firm’s financial distress levels and the minimal narrative disclosure firm score obtained by the firm. No evidence was obtained to support that minimal narrative disclosures in Integrated Reports are associated with future performance of a minimal narrative disclosure firm (whether future performance improves or deteriorates) within the context of this researchItem The role of Internal Audit Function (IAF) in integrated reporting in state owned entities and possible challenges to IAF's involvement, and potential future role of IAF in integrated reporting(2019) Makhathini, Hlengiwe ThandekaOrientation: Integrated Reporting (IR) is a developing reporting approach that assists companies to efficiently report in a concise manner. IR provides financial and non-financial information, and for the report to be credible to stakeholders, it requires assurance. Currently, there are no assurance frameworks for IR, and there are various types of assurance providers. Research Aim: The primary aim of the study is to understand the role that the Internal Audit Function (IAF) of State-Owned Entities (public entities) in South Africa plays in IR, to understand challenges associated with playing this role and to identify the future role of IAF in IR. Motivation for the study: In South Africa, the top 18 SOEs have an asset base of over R1.1 trillion and generate turnovers of over R395 billion which is testimony that they play a critical role in the economy. To improve communication of key objectives and how the mandate of the entity is being achieved, several public entities have voluntarily adopted IR. In the provision of information, there is always a risk of accuracy, validity and completeness and as a result King Code recommends that independent assurance be provided on IR. The assurance will increase the legitimacy of IR to the various stakeholders. There are several potential assurance providers for IR. IAF already plays an assurance role in terms of internal controls and the control environment of an entity, and therefore, has the potential to play a significant role in IR. The motivation for the study is therefore, to understand if the IAF of public entities has embraced this potential role; to understand challenges associated with playing this role and to identify what the potential future role might be. Research approach and method: A qualitative approach was followed, and data was collected through semi-structured interviews to explore the current environment and role played by the IAF. The data collection process involved interviewing Chief Audit Executives (CAEs) or Heads of Internal Audit of SOE’s, and thematic analysis was used to analyse the findings. Findings: The findings from this study are that corporate governance; the operating environment and the skills & capacity of the IAF are critical for the IAF to play a meaningful role in the IR process. Most CAEs highlighted the need for the IAF to be a proactive partner to the business in the IR process to add value and achieve a higher buy-in from stakeholders. Contributions: This study contributes the to the existing body of knowledge on IR in the public sector; specifically, in terms of highlighting the role and challenges of the IAF in the preparation of IR as well as identifying the potential future role of the IAF in IR