Voluntary Integrated Reporting Practices in Malaysia: Are Companies Aligned with the IR Framework?

Abstract

This study explores the extent to which voluntary integrated reporting (IR) practices in Malaysia align with the International Integrated Reporting Framework 2021. A content analysis was conducted on the integrated reports of 31 Malaysian public-listed companies. The study developed the Integrated Reporting Disclosure Index (IRDI), which applies a 5-point Likert scale to evaluate alignment with the IR Framework. The findings reveal that IR practices in Malaysia are only partially aligned with the framework, indicating gaps in both consistency and depth of disclosure. This study contributes to the integrated reporting literature by providing an empirical assessment of disclosure quality within a developing country context, where the adoption of IR remains voluntary. The findings carry significant implications for policymakers to establish clearer reporting guidelines and for organizations to enhance specific areas of their IR practices to better meet international standards.