5. Eni: The Midas Touch

This chapter provides insights into the <IR> journey taken by Eni S.p.A., a multinational company operating in the oil and gas industry. Eni’s claim of commitment to sustainability is proven by achievements and awards and, more importantly, its history. This case study, which is based on data and information gathered from different sources, including interviews, reveals a company that is seemingly making a genuine effort to improve its corporate reporting practices without any external obligation. Rather, it has an eye to new emerging reporting frameworks that fit with changing social, environmental and business contexts. In this vein, <IR> is used in complement with other reporting models to communicate appropriately with different audiences. The conclusions drawn contribute to third-stage performative <IR> research by delivering insights into the dynamics through which <IR> has evolved to become an established practice within a suite of reporting initiatives.