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How impact investing firms use reference frameworks to manage their impact performance: An industry‐level study

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  • Syrus M. Islam
  • Ahsan Habib

Abstract

Using meaning‐oriented content analysis, we show how impact investing firms use various reference frameworks (e.g., International Finance Corporation (IFC) Performance Standards, Impact Management Project framework, UN Sustainable Development Goals) to manage their impact performance throughout the investment lifecycle. Our study provides an industry‐level picture of the various roles that different reference frameworks play to help impact investors attain their impact goals. We also discuss the potential industry effects on management accounting practice, that is, how reference frameworks used in performance management in the impact investing industry differ from those used in some other industries.

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  • Syrus M. Islam & Ahsan Habib, 2024. "How impact investing firms use reference frameworks to manage their impact performance: An industry‐level study," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 64(1), pages 161-184, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:acctfi:v:64:y:2024:i:1:p:161-184
    DOI: 10.1111/acfi.13132
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