Integrated reporting – innovation in accounting paradigms

Abstract

The article is an introduction to the issues and results of a new trend in interdisciplinary research, which is integrated reporting. „Violated balance”, characteristic of contemporary global economy, forces us to seek solutions oriented to symbiosis between economic, social and environmental progress, which is the basis for fundamental changes in mental models that determine the way the economic organization oper-ates. On the basis of literature studies, as well as management (of innovation, knowledge, etc.) science studies and research on changes in legal regulations of accounting, one can venture to say that the change in accounting paradigms is an innovation which stems from legal requirements. Legislation stimulates conceptuality, including information management, standardization of accounting, etc. Innovation theory refers to technological, organizational and market changes, so a question ariseswhether this theory can be applied to accounting practices as well? In this way an idea emerged for inves-tigating the question if the implementation of legal regulations such as International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) or the standards of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) is a manifestation of the inno-vation theory in the development of accounting systems, especially in reporting.