Exploring the Rationale for Integrated Report Assurance in Sri Lanka: A Proposed Conceptual Model

Abstract

A growing demand for an integrated report's external assurance is observed, despite the challenges involved in the assurance process. Despite this popularity, the rationale for external assurance of integrated reports is mostly unknown, and how itleads to organizational changes is not sufficiently explored. This study, thus, offers a conceptual model to explore the rationale behind obtaining external integrated reporting assurance, its impacts on internal assurance practices, and justifications for modifications made to the internal assurance practices. This conceptual model, grounded on the framing and institutional theories, suggests that the companies tend to assure their integrated reports externally as a response to various isomorphic pressures. The assurance of an integrated report in response to various isomorphic pressures can propose modifications to companies' current internal assurance practices. Subsequently, the rationale for the proposed modifications is exposed to encourage implementing the proposed changes to internal assurance practices.