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Emerging new themes in environmental, social and governance investing: a systematic literature review

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  • Dan Daugaard

Abstract

Environmental, social and governance (ESG) investing is a large and influential industry. Its activities could be illuminated, appraised and improved by academic research. Unfortunately, research to date has focused on measuring return performance. A wider range of topics is necessary before research can properly inform investors, companies and regulators. This paper contributes to the challenge by systematically exploring the literature to reveal a richer array of topics: the heterogeneous nature of ESG investing, its costs and motivations, and its management literature origins. In addition to these established topics, five emerging themes are identified: the human element, climate change, fund flows, fixed income and the rise of non‐Western players.

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  • Dan Daugaard, 2020. "Emerging new themes in environmental, social and governance investing: a systematic literature review," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 60(2), pages 1501-1530, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:acctfi:v:60:y:2020:i:2:p:1501-1530
    DOI: 10.1111/acfi.12479
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