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Socially responsible investment funds and firm performance improvement

Author

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  • Onur Kemal Tosun

    (Cardiff University)

  • S. Katie Moon

    (The University of Colorado)

Abstract

We examine how socially responsible investment (SRI) mutual funds emphasizing employee relations are associated with the performance of their portfolio firms, measured by return on assets (ROA). We highlight the important role of mutual-fund shareholders emphasizing employee relations by showing that firms’ ROA improves when their shares are owned by such shareholders. We find the shareholder participation of employee-focused SRI funds a potential channel leading to firm performance improvement. Our finding holds for stock return performance and is stronger in human-capital intense industries. Instrumental variable approaches using state-level constituency statutes, mutual fund inflows, or Morningstar ratings suggest a causal relation.

Suggested Citation

  • Onur Kemal Tosun & S. Katie Moon, 2025. "Socially responsible investment funds and firm performance improvement," Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, Springer, vol. 65(2), pages 539-572, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:rqfnac:v:65:y:2025:i:2:d:10.1007_s11156-024-01352-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s11156-024-01352-7
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    JEL classification:

    • G30 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - General
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • J28 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Safety; Job Satisfaction; Related Public Policy
    • M14 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Corporate Culture; Diversity; Social Responsibility

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