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How social and environmental investments attract and repel foreign investors: Insights on shareholder and stakeholder engagement

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  • Talat Mehmood Khan
  • Naiping Zhu

Abstract

This study investigates the diversifying impact of social and environmental investment (SEI) to attract and repel foreign investors (FIs) while determining to invest in environmental friendly firms. By analyzing SEI strategies within the Chinese context and employing panel data regression analysis, this study reveals numerous major insights. First, firms implementing average SEI strategies tend to attract greater investments from FI. On the other hand, above average SEI do not yield similar benefits, indicating that over‐investments in social and environmental projects could repel potential investors, and result in a transfer of wealth from shareholders to stakeholders. Furthermore, the present study reveals that firm performance strengthens the positive association between average SEI and FI. Finally, this study finds that the negative relationship between above‐average SEI and FI is intensified when firm performance is considered as a moderating factor. These insights are crucial for policymakers in formulating strategies to enhance foreign investments.

Suggested Citation

  • Talat Mehmood Khan & Naiping Zhu, 2025. "How social and environmental investments attract and repel foreign investors: Insights on shareholder and stakeholder engagement," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(2), pages 2996-3007, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:sustdv:v:33:y:2025:i:2:p:2996-3007
    DOI: 10.1002/sd.3280
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