The Future of Corporate Reporting: Insights from CCR’s Groundbreaking Study

MDD and CCR: A Long-Standing Partnership in Corporate Reporting Innovation

As a platinum partner, MDD has been supporting the activities of the Center for Corporate Reporting (CCR) and fostering knowledge exchange within the community since 2013. By leveraging these insights, MDD continuously enhances its corporate reporting solutions, offering clients cutting-edge digital reporting tools and XBRL-compliant automation.

In collaboration with the Center for Research in Financial Communication at the University of Leipzig and the St. Pölten University of Applied Sciences, the CCR conducted an in-depth study on the future of corporate reporting. The “Future Lab” initiative examined emerging trends and stakeholder engagement strategies for the years ahead.

From 2019-2021, the study established a baseline for strategic corporate reporting management. Starting in 2022, it shifted focus toward future developments, culminating in three key corporate reporting scenarios:

1. Public Value Report: Corporate Reporting as a Social Value Driver

This scenario emphasizes the social and economic contributions of a company. Corporate reporting aligns with political and regulatory requirements, while multichannel communication strategies strengthen stakeholder engagement. Key trends include:

• Purpose-driven reporting to highlight corporate value creation.
• Enhanced online report designs, incorporating storytelling and virtual experiences to boost engagement.
• Regulatory-driven reporting structures, ensuring compliance while fostering trust and transparency.

2. Reporting Without a Traditional Report

In this scenario, the annual report is replaced by AI-powered automation and data integration across multiple platforms. Companies make their financial and ESG data available, and third parties process and distribute the information to different audiences. Emerging trends in this model include:

• AI-driven automation enabling flexible, real-time financial reporting.
• Machine-readable reporting formats for seamless AI and audio assistant integration.
• Corporate websites and online reports optimized for data extraction and interactive analysis.

3. Report on Demand: Customizable Reporting for Target Audiences

Under this scenario, companies provide customizable reporting formats tailored to specific stakeholder groups. Reports are dynamic, adapting to content preferences, style, and scope. Notable features include:

• Modular report components—from regulatory financial data reports to visualized ESG insights.
• Interactive and gamified formats, enhancing stakeholder engagement.
• Personalized shareholder communication, using strong imagery and emotional appeal.

Technology and Automation: The Future of Corporate Reporting

The study underscores the growing role of technological innovation in corporate reporting. As companies move beyond regulatory compliance, best practices in digital reporting and value-based communication will continue to evolve.

A comprehensive reporting platform must serve as a centralized information hub, facilitating collaborative workflows and supporting multiple publication formats. From interactive corporate reports and machine-readable XBRL filings to dynamic ESG disclosures, the right platform must integrate flexible editing tools, automated tagging, and AI-powered enhancements.

As a pioneer in XBRL reporting in Europe, with over 25 years of experience, MDD provides a future-proof solution for digital corporate reporting. By combining cutting-edge automation, expert service, and scalable SaaS-based reporting tools, we help companies optimize efficiency, ensure compliance, and enhance stakeholder communication.

Future-Proof Your Corporate Reporting with MDD

Want to learn how MDD’s digital reporting platform can help streamline and future-proof your corporate reporting process?

Book a connect call with Fabio Negro, COO at MDD, or view his contact details below.