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Cited by 3Auditing, Earnings Management, GovernanceFinancial Reporting and XBRLCorporate Social Responsibility Reporting

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A Review of Corporate Reporting Transparency Quality: Current Status and Future Directions

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Hewage, Yashodha Madhavi, Cooray, Arusha, Ahmed, Rafiuddin·2026·Australian Accounting Review
DOI 10.1111/auar.70019
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Abstract

This paper critically assesses the current state of the literature and sets an agenda for future research on Corporate Reporting Transparency Quality (CRTQ) in formal corporate reporting. Employing a systematic literature review approach that follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) model and analysing a total of 70 papers, 65 from top‐ranked journals and five from peer‐reviewed journals published between May 2002 and May 2025, the analysis reveals the absence of a clear and universally accepted definition of CRTQ. This highlights the need to broaden the conceptual scope to encompass financial, governance, operational, social, environmental and risk dimensions. The findings further emphasise the importance of adopting multiple theoretical perspectives to capture the multifaceted nature of CRTQ. Existing studies predominantly rely on disclosure indices that measure the quantity over its quality of information, exposing a critical gap in the literature and demonstrating the need for a multidimensional framework for comprehensive CRTQ assessment. Through a systematic synthesis of existing knowledge and the identification of key theoretical, methodological and empirical gaps on CRTQ, this review offers valuable insights and directions for academics, practitioners and regulators committed to enhancing CRTQ.

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Metadata

Authors
Hewage, Y. M., Cooray, A., & Ahmed, R.
Affiliations
James Cook University (AU)
Corresponding author
Hewage, Yashodha Madhavi
ORCID
Venue
Australian Accounting Review
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2026-03
Volume
36
Issue
1
Pages
52-89
ISSN
  • 1035-6908 (ISSN-L)
  • 1835-2561
DOI
10.1111/auar.70019
OpenAlex
W7143414520
Cited by
3
References
2
Citations by year
2026: 3
FWCI
22.74
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Australian Accounting Review (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • ResearchOnline at James Cook University (James Cook University) (acceptedVersion, other-oa)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Accounting › Auditing, Earnings Management, Governance
  • Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Management Information Systems › Financial Reporting and XBRL
  • Social Sciences › Business, Management and Accounting › Strategy and Management › Corporate Social Responsibility Reporting
Keywords
disclosure index, disclosure quality, financial disclosure, governance disclosure, environmental and social disclosure, risk disclosure

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