From a Financial to an Entity Model of ESG

ESG investing evolved over time from the earlier concept of CSR. The process of evolution moved the focus from the external impact of corporate activities to the risk and return implications for financial investors of failing to address ESG issues in their portfolio selection and corporate engagement. The bridge between the two approaches was the framing of sustainability in the early part of the millennium as an overarching concept that could be mapped onto the supply of capital and the techniques employed by institutional investors. The financial model of ESG investing is now the standard approach around the world and is reflected in ESG ratings, codes, guidance and regulatory rules. It focuses on the role of capital and investors in driving change in sustainability practices and pays much less attention to the role of board decision-making and directors’ fiduciary duties. In this research, we trace the origins and trajectory of this change in emphasis from CSR to ESG and attempt to explain why it occurred. We identify shortcomings in the financial model of ESG investing and propose an alternative ‘entity’ model, which we argue would more effectively promote sustainability in the corporate sector around the world.

Julia Sets and Their Control in a Three-Dimensional Discrete Fractional-Order Financial Model

It is of great significance to study the three-dimensional financial system model based on the discrete fractional-order theory. In this paper, the Julia set of the three-dimensional discrete fractional-order financial model is identified to show its fractal characteristics. The sizes of the Julia sets need to be changed in some situations, so it is necessary to achieve control of the Julia sets. In combination with the characteristics of the model, two different controllers based on the fixed point are designed, and the control of the three-dimensional Julia sets is realized by adding the controllers into the model in different ways. Finally, the simulation graphs show that the controllers can effectively control the fractal behaviors.

APPLICATION OF INNOVATIVE DIGITAL PRODUCTS IN SPORTS INDUSTRY

This article considers innovative solutions used in sports industry. Taking into account the importance for the consumer in the context of pandemic restrictions, as well as the presence of a large number of modern technological cases, the author focuses on fitness sector. The innovative solutions discussed in the study can be classified as follows: mobile apps; sensors; virtual reality. The analysis allowed the author to highlight the pros and cons of digitalization, determine the development trends of fitness industry, the specifics of its financial model and competitiveness. Despite the importance of automation, the author emphasizes the high role of “living” labor, the importance of which can be studied in further developments.

Are Credit-Based Internet Consumer Finance Platforms Sustainable? A Study on Continuous Use Intention of Chinese Users

Internet consumer finance platforms (ICFPs), as a new Internet financial model, have emerged and been widely adopted by Chinese as well as global online shoppers following the rapid growth of e-commerce. This emerging financial tool is, however, luring younger generations deep into debt. It jeopardizes the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 1—No poverty, bringing the sustainability of this consumer financial model into question. To aid the sustainable development of ICFP industry, this paper distinguishes two antecedents of continuous use intention for ICFP users: (1) satisfaction, as a sustainable determinant; and (2) impulsive buying, as a non-sustainable determinant. We found satisfaction (b = 0.452) has a larger positive effect on continuous use intention compared to impulsive buying (b = 0.229). Therefore, ICFPs should weigh heavier on technology innovation instead of seducing consumers’ impulsive buying behavior. We also found that credit limit misconception poses the largest impact (b = 0.483) on impulsive buying. In the near term, governments and ICFPs may initiate public programs to improve ICFP users’ financial literacy in order to restrain their unsustainable impulsive buying behavior and cultivate their sustainable satisfaction on ICFP technology and service. Market regulators may build up institutional frameworks to tighten the abuse of financial platforms on credit issuing power and better foster sustainable entrepreneurship in this new financial platform business.

Investment Model of Agricultural Biogas Plants for Individual Farms in Poland

The main idea of a circular economy (CE) is to separate economic growth from resource consumption and environmental impacts. The characteristic approach of a CE assumes the minimisation of the amount of waste generated at the design level and, as a standard, includes innovations throughout the value chain. From an agricultural point of view, agricultural biogas plants are particularly important because they enable the management of all waste biomass and its conversion into useful energy and agricultural fertiliser. This paper presents methods for assessing the economic effectiveness of an investment in an agricultural biogas plant. The research goal was to develop a financial model. The authors of this study used available examples of the profitability of commercial ventures. We considered the investment aspects of agricultural biogas plants. Exemplary solutions are discussed, allowing the reader to become acquainted with various methods and proposals for thus far estimated investments. It may seem chaotic, but this is how the biogas market is characterised in the context of the implementation of biogas projects. Guidance is given regarding how to understand investing in this sensitive private farming sector. It is admirable that the renewable energy market has been systematised, and we hypothesise that it is necessary to develop an investment model in Polish conditions.