Resumen de The use of “public interest” and “public good” as a rationale for corporate reporting in the European Union

Begoña Giner Inchausti, Paloma Merello Giménez, Araceli Mora Enguídanos

• This study examines the use and evolution of “public interest” and “public good” notions in corporate reporting regulation in the European Union from 2000 to 2024. We aim to trace how the implicit meaning of these terms has shifted over time, employing two complementary approaches. First, by considering all documents related to corporate reporting issued by the European Commission, we show a change in the context in which these terms are used. Our findings point to a three-step evolution: initially framed within the capital market efficiency, then linked to financial stability, and more recently to a multi-stakeholder and sustainable context. Based on the different theoretical perspectives of public interest, the observed institutional changes in the standard-setting process align with a shift in the public interest theoretical perspective. We conclude by highlighting the potential for unintended effects we emphasize the role of empirical research in anticipating and interpreting their impact.