Tracing the evolutionary path of visual disclosure research in corporate reporting: a longitudinal coword analysis and study agenda

Purpose – Information with corporate reports is increasingly conveyed by visuals, becoming highly topical with the potential and risks digital transformation brings for visual disclosure. Moved by this relevance, this study aims to explore the conceptual structure evolution of visual disclosure research in corporate reporting, aiming to enhance understanding of the current state of knowledge and propose a research agenda. Design/methodology/approach – Conducting a longitudinal coword analysis on 210 articles published between 1989–2023, a comprehensive bibliographic dataset was compiled in Scopus, supplemented by backward and forward snowballing sampling techniques and a Web of Science search. Longitudinal thematic network maps were generated across three consecutive subperiods, with a supplemental full-text review of articles conducted to interpret the results further and identify the underlying theories. Findings – The results highlight evolving thematic focus and theoretical perspectives in visual disclosure research in corporate reporting, reflecting the progressive rise of holistic corporate performance reporting. Impression management has become the central theme, while a narrow study stream arguing the potential for visuals in effectively communicating the value-creation process in integrated reporting is emerging. However, theoretical reliance increasingly embraced impression management and legitimacy theories, with sparse use of other lenses. Visual digital reporting and visual integration of environmental, social and governance (ESG) disclosure –particularly concerning governance – also represent research gaps highlighting possibilities for future studies. Originality/value – This study offers a novel contribution to the literature by tracing visual disclosure studies’ thematic and theoretical evolution in corporate reporting. It reveals changes in focus, current trends and significant gaps to assist future research.