Towards an integrated reporting framework for South African national museums

[摘要] ENGLISH SUMMARY : The King III Report on Governance for South Africa was introduced in 2009. It was precededby the King I (1994) and King II (2002) reports. The King III Report was developed according to the 'apply or explain' principle, which meant that an organisation had to either apply it, albeitvoluntarily, or explain why it was not doing so. This third version of King introduced the principle of integrated reporting. At a global level, the International Integrated Reporting Councilreleased the International Integrated Reporting Framework in 2013. This framework provided guidelines on how integrated reports should be developed. In 2016, the King IV Report replaced King III and it signified a departure in that it adopted the 'apply and explain' principle.These developments had implications for almost all organisations, including museums. There are 13 national museums in South Africa that receive funding from the state. Since these entities receive the bulk of their funding from the state, they are expected to account publicly for its use. This thesis commences with a discussion of the interlinked concepts of governance, public accountability and integrated reporting. The theory of governance is explored in all its known dimensions with the main focus on governance as corporate governance. A definition and different theories of corporate governance are outlined. The concept of public accountability is explained in great detail. The dimensions of accountability and its conventionsare explored. An attempt to define integrated reporting, its critique and its benefits is provided, with special reference to the International Integrated Reporting Framework and the King reports.A legislative and regulatory context for corporate governance, public accountability and reporting is provided. It is argued that there is a clear link among these three concepts. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa Act, 1996 provides a foundation for publicaccountability and good governance. The Constitution enables South Africa to enact legislation that provides this, including guidelines that are also applicable to museums.A content analysis of the annual reports of 12 of the 13 national museums indicates that their annual reports are drawn up using the Annual Report Guide prescribed by the National Treasury. The main recommendation of this study is that this guide should be revised to placemuseums on the path of integrated reporting in line with the principles as laid out in the International Integrated Reporting Framework and the King IV Report.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University