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The Performance of Socially Responsible Investment Funds: A Meta-Analysis

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  • Rathner, Sebastian

    (University of Salzburg)

Abstract

Empirical studies, which analyse the performance of Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) funds relative to conventional funds, find contradictory results. The aim of this paper is to investigate, with the help of a meta-analysis, how selected primary study characteristics influence the probability of a significant under- or outperformance of SRI funds compared with conventional funds. 25 studies with more than 500 observations are included in the meta-analysis. The results of this paper suggest that the consideration of the survivorship bias in a study increases (decreases) the probability of a significant outperformance (underperformance) of SRI funds relative to conventional funds. The focus on United States (US) SRI funds increases (decreases) the probability of a significant outperformance (underperformance) too. The time period influences the probability of a significant under- and outperformance of SRI funds as well, but based on the results of this paper, it is not possible to draw general conclusions on this variable.

Suggested Citation

  • Rathner, Sebastian, 2012. "The Performance of Socially Responsible Investment Funds: A Meta-Analysis," Working Papers in Economics 2012-3, University of Salzburg.
    • Handle: RePEc:ris:sbgwpe:2012_003
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    Cited by:

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    2. Lean, Hooi Hooi & Ang, Wei Rong & Smyth, Russell, 2015. "Performance and performance persistence of socially responsible investment funds in Europe and North America," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 34(C), pages 254-266.
    3. Francisco José López-Arceiz & Ana José Bellostas-Pérezgrueso & José Mariano Moneva, 2018. "Evaluation of the Cultural Environment’s Impact on the Performance of the Socially Responsible Investment Funds," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 150(1), pages 259-278, June.
    4. Maike van Dijk-de Groot & Andre H.J. Nijhof, 2015. "Socially Responsible Investment Funds: a review of research priorities and strategic options," Journal of Sustainable Finance & Investment, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 5(3), pages 178-204, July.
    5. Saiful Arefeen & Koji Shimada, 2020. "Performance and Resilience of Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) and Conventional Funds during Different Shocks in 2016: Evidence from Japan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-20, January.
    6. Orlando Gomes, 2020. "Optimal growth under socially responsible investment: a dynamic theoretical model of the trade-off between financial gains and emotional rewards," International Journal of Corporate Social Responsibility, Springer, vol. 5(1), pages 1-17, December.
    7. Julian Amon & Margarethe Rammerstorfer & Karl Weinmayer, 2021. "Passive ESG Portfolio Management—The Benchmark Strategy for Socially Responsible Investors," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-21, August.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR); Ethical Investment; performance; Socially Responsible Investment (SRI); Sustainability;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G12 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Asset Pricing; Trading Volume; Bond Interest Rates
    • M14 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Corporate Culture; Diversity; Social Responsibility

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