The Albert Luthuli Centre for Responsible Leadership (ALCRL) hosted a roundtable discussion with the theme “Conventional Thinking vs. Integrated Thinking: A duel!”. Mr Paul Druckman, CEO of the International Integrated Reporting Council, and Judge Mervyn King was part of the discussion panel.
 

Prof Derick de Jongh, Director of the Albert Luthuli Centre for Responsible Leadership, opened the event and within the context of corporate responsibility, or the lack thereof, challenged the audience to contemplate the recent demise of African Bank. He argued whether the bank’s crash was perhaps a result of conventional thinking as opposed to integrated thinking.

Mr Paul Druckman further argued that true integrated reporting is not possible without integrated thinking. Mr Terence Nombembe, CEO of SAICA and former Auditor General of SA, then addressed the audience and assured them that SAICA will take leadership in the integrated reporting movement, which is the way of the future.

Mr Pieter Conradie, Programme Director of Integrated Reporting at the ALCRL, gave insights about what he calls wicked problems, which are problems of which the solutions might be very difficult or even impossible to find. He emphasised that there is still a great need for research to be done on integrated reporting and how the discussions can contribute to present solutions to the problems that the business world is facing today.

The roundtable discussions also revolved around the issue of appropriateness and balance of curricula of the business degrees in South Africa and whether universities equip students with the knowledge and skills to solve complex business problems. The outcome of the discussions suggested that there is significant room for improvement to ensure that complex business challenges such as social and environmental issues are embedded in business curricula. The ALCRL plans to publish a research report from the data gathered at this event.

Judge Mervin King concluded the evening with a message on the necessity of change for the business world and confirmed that changes to curricula are indeed essential. He also acknowledged the leading role that the ALCRL plays in being first to offer a Postgraduate Programme in Integrated Reporting and also for its leadership in researching the field of integrated reporting.

Photo caption: From left to right standing: Pieter Conradie (ALCRL), Michiel Englebrecht (PWC), Prof Stella Nkomo (Deputy Dean: Research and Postgraduate studies), Prof Derick de Jongh (ALCRL), Justice Mavhungu (Eskom), Ian Jameson (Eskom), Front from left to right: Paul Druckman (CEO of the International Integrated Reporting Council), Judge Mervin King (IIRC chairman) and Terence Nombembe (CEO of SAICA).