The Risk Reporting Within the MD&A as a Tool for Stakeholders’ Involvement. Empirical Evidence from Italian Listed Companies

Aim of this paper is to survey how firms are paying attention to the risk reporting issue within the new mandatory approach and if this information can be considered useful for all stakeholders. Methodology adopted is based on the content and discourse analysis of Management Reports referred to a sample of 146 non-financial listed companies on the Italian Stock Exchange for the reporting year 2008. Results seem to witness a very different way to disclose risk-related information, often seen as a problem to hide rather than an opportunity to communicate with stakeholders. Hence, main managerial implications should be addressed towards a new risk culture, in order to train managers and directors more transparent and accountable when they disclose information about corporate risks.