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Sustainability priorities, corporate strategy, and investor behavior

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  • Linda Espahbodi
  • Reza Espahbodi
  • Norma Juma
  • Amy Westbrook

Abstract

Using a sequential experiment, this study examines whether integration of material environmental, social, and governance (ESG) priorities into corporate strategy impacts investors’ short‐ and long‐term stock price assessments and investment allocation. In our examination, we consider the potential moderating effect of financial performance. We find that integration of ESG priorities into strategy does not have a significant effect on investors’ price assessments or investment allocation. This is true regardless of the trend in the company's financial performance. Our results hold across various demographics and the levels of investment knowledge and investment experience. Investors’ perception of relevance and reliability of material ESG information, however, has a mediating effect on their long‐term price assessment and investment allocation. Overall, our findings suggest that any future requirements on disclosure of ESG information by regulators and standard setters should aim to improve investors’ perception of the relevance and reliability of that information.

Suggested Citation

  • Linda Espahbodi & Reza Espahbodi & Norma Juma & Amy Westbrook, 2019. "Sustainability priorities, corporate strategy, and investor behavior," Review of Financial Economics, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 37(1), pages 149-167, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:revfec:v:37:y:2019:i:1:p:149-167
    DOI: 10.1002/rfe.1052
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    Cited by:

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    2. Narula, Radhika & Rao, Purnima & Kumar, Satish & Matta, Rahul, 2024. "ESG scores and firm performance- evidence from emerging market," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 89(PA), pages 1170-1184.
    3. Alok Kumar, 2019. "The changing landscape of behavioral finance," Review of Financial Economics, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 37(1), pages 3-5, January.
    4. Chen, Lifeng & Khurram, Muhammad Usman & Gao, Yuying & Abedin, Mohammad Zoynul & Lucey, Brian, 2023. "ESG disclosure and technological innovation capabilities of the Chinese listed companies," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 65(C).
    5. Eugene Kang & Nguyen Bao Lam, 2023. "The impact of environmental disclosure on initial public offering underpricing: Sustainable development in Singapore," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 30(1), pages 119-133, January.
    6. Dong, Dayong & Yang, Mo & Yang, Gaoju & Chen, Chang-Chih & Zhang, Xinyi, 2022. "Talk less and do more: Expected strategic adjustments vs. actual changes in the Chinese firms," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).
    7. Jochen Theis & Marvin Nipper, 2021. "The Impact of Executives’ Gender, Financial Incentives, and Shareholder Pressure on Corporate Social and Ecological Investments," Schmalenbach Journal of Business Research, Springer, vol. 73(3), pages 307-338, December.
    8. Meng, Jia & Zhang, ZhongXiang, 2022. "Corporate environmental information disclosure and investor response: Evidence from China's capital market," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 108(C).

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