Socially responsible investing: a review of the critical issues

2015 ◽  
Vol 41 (11) ◽  
pp. 1176-1201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joan Junkus ◽  
Thomas D. Berry
Keyword(s):  
Mutual Funds ◽  
Firm Value ◽  
Socially Responsible Investing ◽  
Model Specification ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Socially Responsible ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Responsible Investment ◽  
Definitive Answer ◽  
Responsible Investing

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of the most recent work in major finance journals on socially responsible investment (SRI). While SRI involves individual investors, firms, and investment managers, the authors concentrate primarily on the investment view. Design/methodology/approach – The authors briefly review the development of socially responsible investing (SRI) and the theoretical issues related to SRI and investment choice. This is followed by a review of the empirical results concerning firm value. The question of whether SR mutual funds and SR indexes differ in performance or other characteristics from their conventional counterparts is discussed next, and lastly the authors present suggestions for future research directions. Findings – Despite the large and extensive amount of empirical research published on SRI in recent years, the authors find no definitive answer to the question of SR actions for either the firm or the investor. For firms, evidence linking corporate social responsibility (CSR) rankings with higher value is mixed, and depends on the type of CSR behavior studied as well as the measures of firm performance used. The performance of SR mutual funds and indexes generally are not significantly different from conventional funds or indexes, but again these results are also highly dependent on model specification, time period, benchmark, and other characteristics of the study. Practical implications – The value of SR investing has not been definitely proved. This means, however, that there is room for further on this important topic. Originality/value – This paper synthesizes and presents the most recent research on SRI from a wide variety of refereed sources.

The market for socially responsible investing: a review of the developments

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Anthony Camilleri
Keyword(s):  
Financial Markets ◽  
Financial Services ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Socially Responsible Investing ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Socially Responsible ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Responsible Investing ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Sustainable Investments

Purpose This study aims to explain how socially responsible investing (SRI) has evolved in the past few decades and sheds light on its latest developments. It describes different forms of SRI in the financial markets, and deliberates on the rationale for the utilization of positive and negative screenings of listed businesses and public organizations. Design/methodology/approach A comprehensive literature review suggests that the providers of financial capital are increasingly allocating funds toward positive impact and sustainable investments. Therefore, this descriptive paper provides a factual summary of the proliferation of SRI products in financial markets. Afterwards, it presents the opportunities and challenges facing the stakeholders of SRI. Findings This research presents a historic overview on the growth of SRI products in the financial services industry. It clarifies that the market for responsible investing has recently led to an increase in a number of stakeholders, including contractors, non-governmental organizations and research firms who are involved in the scrutinization of the businesses’ environmental, social and governance (ESG) behaviors. Originality/value This discursive contribution raises awareness on the screenings of positive impact and sustainable investments. The researcher contends that today’s socially responsible investors are increasingly analyzing the businesses’ non-financial performance, including their ESG credentials. In conclusion, this paper puts forward future research avenues in this promising field of study.

Understanding Socially Responsible Investing and Its Implications for Islamic Investment Industry

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Mohd Nizam Barom
Keyword(s):  
Investment Decision ◽  
Socially Responsible Investing ◽  
Clear Understanding ◽  
Socially Responsible ◽  
Responsible Investment ◽  
Developed Economies ◽  
Responsible Investing ◽  
Screening Strategies ◽  
Investment Process ◽  
Islamic Investment

Understanding Socially Responsible Investing and Its Implications for Islamic Investment Industry // // // // // Social, ethical and environmental concerns have been used as important consideration for investment decision by an increasing number of investors. This can be seen by the size and growth of the socially responsible investment (SRI) industry in the developed economies. At the same time, scholars and commentators of Islamic finance have also called for Islamic investment industry to learn from the experience of SRI in incorporating social responsibility issues in the investment process, in line with the ethical principles of Islam and the overall objective of the Shari’ah (Maqasid al-Shari’ah). This would require Islamic investment sector to have a clear understanding of the SRI industry in order to effectively benefit from its experience. This is particularly critical due to the significant diversity of investors and complexity in the issues and strategies adopted in the SRI industry. Hence, this paper adds to the Islamic investment literature by providing an extensive  and systematic survey of SRI industry in terms of its (i) underlying motivations and values; (ii) issues of concerns; (iii) types of investors; and (iv) screening strategies. It then synthesizes these components within the context of the ‘value-based’ investors. This synthesized framework offers a useful tool for Islamic investment practitioners to understand the theoretical and practical aspects of SRI. Subsequently, the paper highlights important implications of the findings for Islamic investment industry in terms of the issues that it needs to consider in emulating SRI practices and a number of lessons that it can learn from the SRI experience.  

Private ethical fund investors across countries and time: a survey-based review

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 379-411 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anett Wins ◽  
Bernhard Zwergel
Keyword(s):  
Keyword Search ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Socially Responsible ◽  
Screening Criteria ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Responsible Investment ◽  
Private Investors ◽  
Ethical Funds ◽  
Fund Portfolio

Purpose – This paper aims to provide an overview of the literature to point out similarities and differences among private ethical investors across countries and time. Over the past three decades, many surveys have been conducted to advance the understanding of the demographic characteristics, motivation and morals of private ethical investors across countries and time. To date, the survey-based evidence on private investors into ethical funds is geographically rather segmented, and the research questions are fairly diverse. This permits only very temporally or regionally selective conclusions. Thereby, the authors identify interesting topics for future research. Design/methodology/approach – To identify the relevant literature for our review, the authors carried out a structured Boolean keyword search using major library services and databases. Findings – When questions about negative screening criteria are presented in a direct investment context, the consensus of private ethical investors “worldwide” (on average) is that social screening issues are most important, followed by ecological and moral topics. The percentage of ethical funds in the fund portfolio of the average private ethical investor in Europe seems to increase when the investor exhibits high degrees of pro-social attitudes and perceived consumer effectiveness. European private ethical investors are of the opinion that ethical funds perform worse but are less risky than conventional funds. Practical implications – The authors make suggestions on how investment companies should design their funds so that they can attract more socially responsible investors. Originality/value – The paper is of particular value because it focuses on private investors in the fast growing retail market of socially responsible investment funds.

The effect of business cycle, market return and momentum on financial performance of socially responsible investing mutual funds

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 513-528 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen Paul
Keyword(s):  
Business Cycle ◽  
Financial Performance ◽  
Mutual Funds ◽  
Factor Model ◽  
Social Performance ◽  
Socially Responsible ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Responsible Investing ◽  
Market Return ◽  
Three Factor

Purpose This study examines the effect of business cycle, market return and momentum on the financial performance of socially responsible investing (SRI) mutual funds using data from two complete business cycles as defined by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER). Design/methodology/approach A “fund of funds” approach is used to identify the extent to which SRI financial performance is affected by the macroeconomic climate. The Fama-French Three-Factor model and the Carhart four-factor model are used to bring the results into alignment with commonly used finance methodologies. Findings The results indicate that SRI tends to preserve value during economic contraction more than it adds value during economic expansion. Market return is important during both expansion and contraction, while momentum is important only during expansion. Research limitations/implications These findings suggest that double screening, for both financial and social performance, enables portfolio managers of SRI funds to have insight into those companies that are particularly vulnerable during times of economic contraction. Practical implications These results bring added clarity to the mixed findings found by previous researchers examining the relationship between corporate social performance (CSP) and financial performance. Social implications This study reinforces the idea that the financial performance of companies with high ethical standards is comparable to the financial performance of the market as a whole during times of economic expansion and superior to the market as a whole during times of economic contraction. Originality/value Business cycle analysis, along with the Fama-French Three-Factor model and the Carhart four-factor model, brings SRI research more into the realm of conventional financial analysis than previous studies.

Under pressure: exploring pressures for corporate social responsibility in mutual funds

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Caddie Putnam Rankin
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Mutual Funds ◽  
Mutual Fund ◽  
Socially Responsible ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Responsible Investment ◽  
Industry Standards ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
Depth Interviews

PurposeThis empirical study seeks to understand how mutual fund firms interpret conflicting pressures to conform or differentiate in the context of corporate social responsibility (CSR). Research suggests that organizations engage in practices that conform to industry standards in order to be seen as legitimate members of their industry. Other studies suggest that organizations differentiate themselves in order to compete and outperform their rivals. Pressures for organizational conformity and differentiation are explored in two types of organizations in the mutual fund industry: socially responsible investment (SRI) and non-SRI firms.Design/methodology/approachThe research is based on qualitative in-depth interviews with twenty-six mutual funds.FindingsThe analysis revealed that pressures for conformity and differentiation were salient among mutual fund executives but emphasized differently for the two types of mutual funds.Originality/valueThe study concluded by suggesting SRI firms use both strategies of conformity and differentiation to amplify the message that they adhere to the values of CSR.

scholarly journals 35 years of socially responsible investing (SRI) research: General trends over time

2012 ◽  
Vol 43 (4) ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Viviers ◽  
N. S. Eccles
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Academic Research ◽  
Legal Aspects ◽  
Socially Responsible Investing ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Socially Responsible ◽  
Ethical Egoism ◽  
Responsible Investing ◽  
Research Themes

This article describes 35 years of academic research into investment practices that in some way integrate a consideration of environmental, social and corporate governance issues. A review of 190 academic papers was undertaken to identify trends in five domains, namely ‘Primary Name’, ‘Research Themes’, ‘Ethical Foundations’, ‘Research Approach’ and ‘SRI Strategies’. The evidence reveals that more than half the researchers refer to such investment practices as Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) and for this reason the name is used in this review as a generic term for the genre. A myriad of other names were also identified. In terms of research themes, one particularly dominant theme was that of financial performance, which was often discussed in relation to fiduciary responsibility and legal aspects. Although the primary ethical foundation was not always directly observable, the majority of papers implied utilitarianism or ‘the greatest good for the greatest number’. Increased mention of ethical egoism (self-interest) is observed in later periods. An equal split between qualitative and quantitative research methodologies was noted, with a qualitative approach being more favoured in recent years. Three SRI strategies have dominated academic discussions over the past 35 years, namely negative screening, positive screening and shareholder activism. Gaps in the literature have been identified and suggestions for future research made.

Socially responsible investment sukuk (Islamic bond) development in Malaysia

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 599-619
Author(s):  
Mahfuzur Rahman ◽  
Che Ruhana Isa ◽  
Ginanjar Dewandaru ◽  
Mohamed Hisham Hanifa ◽  
Nazreen T. Chowdhury ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sample Size ◽  
Small Sample Size ◽  
Socially Responsible Investment ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Large Sample Size ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Socially Responsible ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Responsible Investment

Purpose This study aims to explore the underlying issues related to the development of socially responsible investment (SRI) sukuk in Malaysia. It identifies factors attracting investors and issuers, as well as challenges for the development of SRI sukuk (Islamic bond) in Malaysia. Design/methodology/approach This study conducted semi-structured interviews to collect data from the institutional investors, SRI sukuk issuers and arrangers, as well as researchers. A total of 19 experts were approached in which 10 participated in the interview. The thematic analysis technique is used to report the findings. Findings This study uncovers that social contribution through business activities (i.e. investment in the education sector) is the key motivational drivers for the investors and issuers. Besides, investment risks, lack of performance measurement standards, high transaction costs, risks of return, shortage of enough Islamic bonds, investors’ confidence and lack of awareness are the major challenges for the development of SRI sukuk instruments. Research limitations/implications Due to the challenges in finding experts on this subject matter, this study was able to manage only 10 interviews from the participants, which is a small sample size. However, the findings of this study cannot be ignored. Future research should carry out with a large sample size (i.e. at least 30 interviews) to validate the current findings. Originality/value This study is among the pioneer in Malaysia, which explores the influencing factors of selecting Islamic bonds as an investment option. This paper provides some valuable implications for investors through discovering the challenges for the growth of SRI sukuk in Malaysia, which can also be applicable in a global setting.

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