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Corporate SDG adoption, share price synchronicity, and the role of incentive-compatible contracts in India

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  • Sharma, Rajat
  • Chawla, Sonia
  • Dagar, Vishal
  • Dagher, Leila

Abstract

This study explores the impact of corporate SDG adoption on share price synchronicity in India's emerging market, focusing on the dissemination of firm-specific information. Using data from Indian firms, the analysis demonstrates that SDG adoption reduces share price synchronicity by enhancing stock market liquidity and attracting greater analyst coverage. The effect is stronger in non-state-owned firms and those with high institutional ownership. Further analysis reveals that subcategory PEOPLE SDGs has the most pronounced impact on share price synchronicity. The findings offer significant implications for policymakers, firms, and investors, suggesting the need to incentivize corporate SDG adoption to promote market transparency and informed investment decisions. More specifically, firms can leverage incentive-compatible contracts to increase SDG adoption, aligning corporate interests with sustainability goals, which further reduces information asymmetry and share price synchronicity.

Suggested Citation

  • Sharma, Rajat & Chawla, Sonia & Dagar, Vishal & Dagher, Leila, 2025. "Corporate SDG adoption, share price synchronicity, and the role of incentive-compatible contracts in India," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finlet:v:74:y:2025:i:c:s1544612325000042
    DOI: 10.1016/j.frl.2025.106739
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Corporate sustainability; Emerging markets; Investor behaviour; Market liquidity; Analyst coverage; Sustainable development goals;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C58 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric Modeling - - - Financial Econometrics
    • D82 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Asymmetric and Private Information; Mechanism Design
    • G12 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Asset Pricing; Trading Volume; Bond Interest Rates
    • G14 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Information and Market Efficiency; Event Studies; Insider Trading
    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth

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