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Altruism and egoism in investment decisions

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  • Daniel Brodback
  • Nadja Guenster
  • David Mezger

Abstract

We provide survey evidence that personal values have an impact on individual investment decisions, in particular preferences for socially responsible investing. Our findings show that there is a positive link between altruistic values and the relative importance of social responsibility. This effect is stronger when individuals believe that they can make a positive social or environmental impact with their investments, or when they feel morally obliged to invest responsibly. If altruistic individuals associate responsible investments with higher returns, it decreases their motivation to invest responsibly. Egoistic values are negatively associated with the decision to invest responsibly, unless individuals associate responsible investing with higher returns.

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  • Daniel Brodback & Nadja Guenster & David Mezger, 2019. "Altruism and egoism in investment decisions," Review of Financial Economics, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 37(1), pages 118-148, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:revfec:v:37:y:2019:i:1:p:118-148
    DOI: 10.1002/rfe.1053
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    3. Eleonora Broccardo & Oliver D. Hart & Luigi Zingales, 2020. "Exit vs. Voice," Working Papers 2020-114, Becker Friedman Institute for Research In Economics.
    4. Gutsche, Gunnar & Wetzel, Heike & Ziegler, Andreas, 2023. "Determinants of individual sustainable investment behavior - A framed field experiment," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 209(C), pages 491-508.
    5. Heena Thanki Joshi & Meghna Dangi, 2024. "Are Retail Investors in Emerging Economies SRI Ready?," Management and Labour Studies, XLRI Jamshedpur, School of Business Management & Human Resources, vol. 49(2), pages 256-274, May.
    6. Tatarnikova, Olga & Duchêne, Sébastien & Sentis, Patrick & Willinger, Marc, 2023. "Portfolio instability and socially responsible investment: Experiments with financial professionals and students," Journal of Economic Dynamics and Control, Elsevier, vol. 153(C).
    7. Fernandez-Perez, Adrian & Garel, Alexandre & Indriawan, Ivan, 2022. "In the mood for sustainable funds?," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 217(C).
    8. Hervé, Fabrice & Marsat, Sylvain, 2024. "Acting for good, being good or feeling good? Exploring factors influencing individual investors’ willingness to invest in green funds," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 67(PA).
    9. Misev, Marina A. & Balles, Patrick, 2024. "Natural Disasters, Investor Attention, and Non-Fundamental Green Asset Demand," Working papers 2024/07, Faculty of Business and Economics - University of Basel.
    10. Brunen, Ann-Christine & Laubach, Oliver, 2022. "Do sustainable consumers prefer socially responsible investments? A study among the users of robo advisors," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 136(C).
    11. Kleffel, Philipp & Muck, Matthias, 2023. "Aggregate confusion or inner conflict? An experimental analysis of investors’ reaction to greenwashing," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 53(C).
    12. Auzepy, Alix & Bannier, Christina E. & Gärtner, Florian, 2024. "Looking beyond ESG preferences: The role of sustainable finance literacy in sustainable investing," CFS Working Paper Series 719, Center for Financial Studies (CFS).
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