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Impact investments: a call for (re)orientation

Author

Listed:
  • Timo Busch

    (University of Hamburg
    University of Zurich)

  • Peter Bruce-Clark

    (Social Impact Capital)

  • Jeroen Derwall

    (Maastricht University
    Utrecht University)

  • Robert Eccles

    (University of Oxford)

  • Tessa Hebb

    (Carleton University)

  • Andreas Hoepner

    (University College Dublin)

  • Christian Klein

    (University of Kassel)

  • Philipp Krueger

    (University of Geneva, Swiss Finance Institute)

  • Falko Paetzold

    (University of Zurich
    EBS University)

  • Bert Scholtens

    (University of Groningen)

  • Olaf Weber

    (University of Waterloo)

Abstract

Practitioners and academics have been using different terms to describe investments in the sustainability context. The latest inflationary term is impact investments—investments that focus on real-world changes in terms of solving social challenges and/or mitigating ecological degradation. At the core of this definition is an emphasis on transformational changes. However, the term impact investment is often used interchangeably for any investment that incorporates environmental, social, and governance (ESG) aspects. In the latter instance, achieving transformational change is not the main purpose of such investments, which therefore carries the risk of impact washing (akin to “green washing”). To offer (re-)orientation from an academic perspective, we derive a new typology of sustainable investments. This typology delivers a precise definition of what impact investments are and what they should cover. As one central contribution, we propose distinguishing between impact-aligned investments and impact-generating investments. Based on these insights, we hope to lay the foundation for future research and debates in the field of impact investing by practitioners, policymakers, and academics alike.

Suggested Citation

  • Timo Busch & Peter Bruce-Clark & Jeroen Derwall & Robert Eccles & Tessa Hebb & Andreas Hoepner & Christian Klein & Philipp Krueger & Falko Paetzold & Bert Scholtens & Olaf Weber, 2021. "Impact investments: a call for (re)orientation," SN Business & Economics, Springer, vol. 1(2), pages 1-13, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:snbeco:v:1:y:2021:i:2:d:10.1007_s43546-020-00033-6
    DOI: 10.1007/s43546-020-00033-6
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Chen, Tao & Dong, Hui & Lin, Chen, 2020. "Institutional shareholders and corporate social responsibility," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 135(2), pages 483-504.
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    Cited by:

    1. Anthony Piscitelli, 2023. "Classifying responsible investors: Identifying clusters of Ontario investors," Annals of Public and Cooperative Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 94(4), pages 1133-1144, December.
    2. Cojoianu, Theodor F. & Hoepner, Andreas G.F. & Lin, Yanan, 2022. "Private market impact investing firms: Ownership structure and investment style," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    3. Berenike Wiener & Georg von Schnurbein, 2023. "Foundation Investment Funds for Grant-Making Foundations in Germany: Do They Facilitate Sustainable Investing?," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(4), pages 21582440231, December.
    4. Joel Diener & André Habisch, 2022. "God’s Stewards: A Global Overview of Christian-Influenced Mutual Fund Providers," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-24, November.
    5. Wilson, Christian & Caldecott, Ben, 2023. "Investigating the role of passive funds in carbon-intensive capital markets: Evidence from U.S. bonds," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 209(C).
    6. Florian Heeb & Julian F Kölbel & Falko Paetzold & Stefan Zeisberger, 2023. "Do Investors Care about Impact?," The Review of Financial Studies, Society for Financial Studies, vol. 36(5), pages 1737-1787.
    7. Falko Paetzold & Timo Busch & Sebastian Utz & Anne Kellers, 2022. "Between impact and returns: Private investors and the sustainable development goals," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(7), pages 3182-3197, November.
    8. Scheitza, Lisa & Busch, Timo, 2024. "SFDR Article 9: Is it all about impact?," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 62(PA).

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