Interactive financial reporting using XBRL: An overview of the global markets and Europe

This paper focuses on the implementation of eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) for International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in the European Union. It provides evidence for the benefits that rise from the implementation of XBRL for the companies, the investors and the regulators. It also gives a summary of XBRL technology, the components of a taxonomy and the implementation process for IFRS for listed firms. Finally, it attempts to asses XBRL in relation with corporate governance and accounting disclosure using theoretical background and relevant literature. © 2009 Palgrave Macmillan.