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Do Institutional Investors Drive Corporate Social Responsibility? International Evidence

Author

Listed:
  • Alexander Dyck
  • Karl V. Lins
  • Lukas Roth
  • Hannes F. Wagner

Abstract

This paper assesses whether shareholders drive the environmental and social (E&S) performance of firms worldwide. Across 41 countries, institutional ownership is positively associated with E&S performance with additional tests suggests this relation is causal. Institutions are motivated by both financial and social returns. Investors increase firms’ E&S performance following shocks that reveal financial benefits to E&S improvements. In cross-section, investors increase firms’ E&S performance when they come from countries where there is a strong community belief in the importance of E&S issues, but not otherwise. As such, these institutional investors transplant their social norms regarding E&S issues around the world.

Suggested Citation

  • Alexander Dyck & Karl V. Lins & Lukas Roth & Hannes F. Wagner, 2018. "Do Institutional Investors Drive Corporate Social Responsibility? International Evidence," BAFFI CAREFIN Working Papers 1873, BAFFI CAREFIN, Centre for Applied Research on International Markets Banking Finance and Regulation, Universita' Bocconi, Milano, Italy.
    • Handle: RePEc:baf:cbafwp:cbafwp1873
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Social Responsibility; Institutional Investors; Social Norms; Culture;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G15 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - International Financial Markets
    • G23 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Non-bank Financial Institutions; Financial Instruments; Institutional Investors
    • G30 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - General
    • M14 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Corporate Culture; Diversity; Social Responsibility

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