Design/methodology/approach – The intellectual capital framework consists of three levels: “IC
categories”, “IC items” and “IC indicators”, while content analysis was performed using a quality
multidimensional scheme composed of three disclosure profiles, namely, time orientation, nature of
information and type of information.
Findings – The findings evidence a high and increasing incidence over time of ICVD, with strong
emphasis on human capital disclosure, which represents the most reported category, followed by
relational and organisational capital. ICVD is mainly expressed in non-financial, quantitative and nontime-
specific terms with a low level of forward-looking information.
Research limitations/implications – This study is based on a small sample of sustainability
reports; the content analysis process entails some subjective judgments.
Practical implications – From a firm perspective, sustainability reports can be used in synergy
with annual reports and other public and private documents to provide IC information. From a user
perspective, sustainability reports can be used to acquire IC information over and above information
acquired from other documents.
Originality/value – Sustainability reports and ICVD quality have thus far been investigated only to
a limited extent. The paper also discusses the potential of ICVD in sustainability reports from a user
perspective.
Keywords Intellectual capital, Intangibles, Disclosure, Quality, Sustainability reports, Italy
Paper type Research paper.