Exploring the receptivity to accounting regulation change: what information is being disclosed in Italian Management's Reports

This paper is aimed at investigating how regulatory change affects corporate disclosure. In particular, an analysis of the information disclosed in the Management’s Reports prepared by Italian listed companies is conducted. The Italian context is interesting because the 2007 reform has extended the contents to be included in Management’s Reports. Companies have to disclose information pertaining to risks and uncertainties, performance indicators, environment and personnel. These new requirements do not only lead to an increase of the information to be disclosed, but also to a change in the nature of the information made available. In addition to the more traditional financial information, also social, environmental and strategic information must be provided. The content analysis conducted on the 2008 financial year Management’s Reports prepared by the major Italian listed companies allows for formulating reflections on the receptivity to regulatory change. Research findings suggest that only few companies have been receptive to the reform.