Critical Dialogic Accounting and Accountability Through Integrated Popular Reporting and Digital Technologies: The City of Bari

Over the past two decades, dialogic accounting research has evolved into a distinct field, expanding into what is now recognized as critical dialogic accounting and accountability (CDAA). The integration of critical dialogic accounting and accountability acknowledges the growing need to recognize diverse pathways within accounting practices, emphasizing the representation of marginalized perspectives, engagement with power dynamics, and the analysis of conflicts, particularly in the context of societal and environmental impacts. Based on these assumptions, the Integrated Popular Reporting (IPR) is intended as a useful practical dialogic tool designed to impartially represent the viewpoints of different stakeholders. The focus extends beyond traditional dialogic accounting, integrating a newer critical lens that explores the implications of digital technology in the reporting process. To explore these advancements, the study investigates the implementation of the City of Bari’s 2020 Integrated Popular Reporting. Leveraging tools such as Talkwalker and employing a longitudinal, interventionist approach along with semi-structured interviews, the study assesses the effects of digital technologies on the dialogic accounting process. The analysis shows that the use of digital technologies has facilitated a more participatory reporting structure, evident in increased citizen engagement and reduced bureaucratic hurdles. Notably, it has enhanced the accuracy of defining citizens’ informational needs and addressed pertinent themes ranging from mobility, economy, digitization, regeneration, and employment. Moreover, it underscores the need to address the digital divide and ensure inclusivity across diverse demographics. Ultimately, it contributes to the ongoing discourse on the role of technology in shaping the future of dialogic accounting and its broader implications for societal accountability.